CATHOLIC CHURCH SOCIAL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume VI, Issue 709, 14 October 1898, Page 4

CATHOLIC CHURCH SOCIAL.

Olympic Theatre.

As we predicted in a recont issue the theatre on Wednesday night, despite the unfavorable weather, v/u----wcil filled by a large and representative audience. Such a gathering in such unfavorable weather is incontrovertible testimony to tho popularity of the Rev. Father McKenna. The effort now being made by the Catholic Church to provide a now edifice is being aided by all denominations, and it matters not what people’s religious beliefs aro, very few, if any, can refuse a subscription when Father Tom makes an appeal. Since Father McKenna took charge of the l'ahiatua parish his church attendance has continued to increase, until now it is often impossible for the worshippers to cram into the building,. This being so a determined effort is being njade to provide a larger building, and no doubt the time is not far distant when the new church will be ready for use. The programme provided for Wednesday evening was an excellent one. Besides several local performers, there were no less than four visiting lady singers, all of whom score! decided encores. The Pahiatna Orchestral Society was fully represented under Mr W. W. McKinnon, conductor, and Mr B. G. M. Harrison, leading violin. The selection “ Zada3 ” mot with such deserved approval that the audience insisted upon a second selection, when “ The Washington Post ” was played with equal success. The orchestral items put the audience in excellent humour, and the concert portion of the evening's entertainment was enthusiastic throughout. Tho first soloist was Miss Wallace, of Otaki, who sang “ Carmincita.” Thfs young lady, who has been on the Paliiaoua stage before, received a warm greeting and a pronounced recall, when she responded by singing “ Tatters.” Miss Wallace has <v! - -'in> ung herself into tie h- artel the l’ahiittua. public, mid wili always receive a warm welcome. Mr W. 11. Hawkins followed with “ Victory,”, for which he was recalled, but contented himself with bowing his thanks for the compliment. Miss Maguire, of Greytown, then saug that charming old song “ Come Back to Erin,” for which she too was recalled. She responded by singing “ The Carnival.” Mr Manifold's powerful voice was beard to advantage in “ Thy Sentinel am 1,” but a little more abandon would mako a rich voice and clear enunciation doubly enjoyable. Miss Sheen, of Featherston, was : received with applause, and her solo, j “ Stars Love the Night,” was splendidly sung. The young lady endeavored to stem the applause by bowing her thanks, but the audience j would not bo satisfied until she sang i “ Somebody Loves Me, ” which ! again pleased everybody. Mr W. i H. McKinnon in “ My Queen ” was ' in splendid voice, and has never been : hoard to better advantage. The ' hearty applause he received was meii’ed. Mr Webb’s recitation, “ The Story of a Stowaway,” was one of the most enjoyable items on the programme, and we hope Mr Webb will be heard more frequently on the local stage. Miss M. Pender, from Wellington, lias a charming deep contralto voice, and her solo “ On the Banks of Allan Water,” secured a hearty recall, when the young lady repeated the last verse. Mr E. A. Hawkins secured an encore for “ The Sleeping Camp,” and replied by singing “Nancy.”*" Mr Lucas was very successful in “ The Snow that Husheth All,” and was rewarded by hearty applause. Tlie three visitors again appeared, Miss Wallaoo singing “ Heaven and Earth,” Mis Sheen “ Sunshine and Rain," and Miss Pender “ The Meeting of the Waters,” each of tho ladies scoring enthusiastic recalls. The accompaniments were artistically played by Mesdames Ward and McKinnon. At tlie conclusion of the programme Father McKenna heartily thanked the audience for attending in such satisfactory numbers, and also the performers for the assistance they had given him. Abundant refreshments wore then handed round by willing hands, at the conclusion of which tho audience were rudely alarmed by the vigorous clanging of the firebell. After the progress of the fire had bee.n stayed the dancers returned to tho theatre and spent several hours in dancing, Mrs C. Naylor supplying the music.