Mons, Leon Driver.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 175, 14 September 1891, Page 3

Mons, Leon Driver.

The Harmonic Hall was well filled on Friday evening when Mons, LeonDriver made his first appearance bofore’a Patea audience, The programme •was an exceedingly good one, and Mods Leon-Driver very liberally ie-r--Sponded to several encores. Tho Professor proved a wonderful expounder of piano music, but bis Recital v, as really more of an instruction than a pleasure. The execution displayed was little short of marve lous, but tho too distinctly evidenced and “Frenchified” execution detracted much from the enjoyment. That such execution is impossible without some display we readily admit; but the detrimental fact remains, Of tho pieces rendered on Friday, the “Nocturne in F. Sharp, No s,’’ and the “Storm at Sea ’ pleased us most. ‘II Trovatoro ’ was, no doubt, a grand piece of instrumentation, but with the exception of ‘Ah Che laMorte’ the melodies wore scarcely sufficiently pronounced or perhaps more strictly speaking were too much overpowered with the variations. ‘Auld Robin Gray/ with left hand only, was a perfect marvel of music and execution* One exceptionally pleasantfeaturoin Mons. Loon Driver’s music is the unusually rich and varied arrangement of the bass and body chords, giving a completeness to music rarely enjoyed. Tho vocal contributions were exceedingly pleasant nunw hers, the duct, ‘ Ora pro Nobis,’ by Misses Jacomb being a perfect gem, an unsilenceable encore securing a repitition of tho last verso. Miss Cowern’s ‘ln Old Madrid 1 was also a most enjoyable song, and in response to a vociferous oncoro tho song * Aex ’ was given and received well-merited applause. Messrs Fraser and Horntr contributed tho other vocal pieces.

The Italian Press are loading Lord Salisbury with compliments for his happy inspiration in extending the welcome to the French fleet, and thus taking the wind out of the sails of the liussiau ambition. In the House of Commons on August oth, notice was given that at next session a resolution would bo introduced in favour of the conclusion of the treaty between England and the United Stales, by which the two Nations will agree to submit their differences to arbitration. The champion “ promise-breaker ” of the Colony is fast bringing his liberal Government into prominence. We mentioned the other day that Bt ration! self levs had been let down, in the matter of the £IO,OOO for the East Hoad. The following par., from Elthani, in the Jlawem Star tends to show that: other purls of (he District are being initiated into the f -4nystcries of electioneering clap-trap an^l since.dty of Liberal Government: ” The Vigilance Committee, seeing no volt; for Anderson Hoad on the Estimates, _ wired to Mr McGuire, and got the folio whig re,J ply No vote* the Department object to spend money on the road, as it will increase the value of native land, and the blocks are to bo opened at the other end.’ There is great indignation here considering the recent promise's. Probably a, public meeting will he called.” Ho doubt the money was required for the extra pay the Members voted to themselves. Bona - filing must go short,

At the Police Court this morning, before Messrs Co svern and Finnerty, J.sl’., John Cummings, alias Lewis, alias Punch, alias Jas. Black, was brought up, charged with larceny. The prisoner pleaded guilty The police read a list of thirteen former convictions, but evidence being given that accused had boon of fair behaviour of late and it was shown that the theft was of a peculiarly mild nature the money having been picked up from tho floor of the house in which they wore at the time. Tho Court recorded the conviction, but discharged tlie prisoner with a proviso that ha should leave the district at once.—Fanny Preston, alias Douglas, alias Janet McPherson was charged with receiving stolen money (portion of tho former theft). Thirteen convictions were also recorded against this defendant. Late fair conduct secured a fourteenth conviction and “ leave the district at once.”