CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOCIAL AT WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 84, 15 July 1895, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOCIAL AT WAVERLEY.

The social of Thursday last at Waverley was a marked success in spite of the bad weather and terrible condition of the roads, the hall being packed from end to end. The building had been very tastefully decorated in the afternoon by Mr and Mrs Kemp, Mr Feildcr, and others, and the stage was fitted up as a drawingroom for those who did nut dauc *. The first half of the entertainment was a concert, which was very successful, and appeared to give general satisfaction, although, as the vicar announced, no less than five items had b ;en lost through illness of one sort and another. All those who performed received well - merited applause, though encores were only demanded on four occasions, as, no doubt, the largest section of the audience had the dancing in view. The gem of the evening was reserved for the last, when Miss McAlpine sang “ The Holy City, ’ and in response to an irresistible demand, kindly gave as an encore “Angels Ever Bright and Fair.” Miss Me Alpine’s singing shows plainly careful culture and practice, and this, coupled with a fine soprano voice, makes her singing a very great treat for lovers of music. Mr McAlpine’s singing was also much appreciated. He sang “ Consider the Lilies,” and as an encore gave the Bass Recitative, “ For behold darkness shall cover the Earth,” from the Messiah, and the air following “ The people that satin Darkness.” This was much liked by those who know the Messiah, but hardly suitable for an audience who have not had that privilege, as it loses much by being taken out of its setting and sung without all the necessary oratorio accompaniments. Of the remaining items, Mrs Kemp contributed two, “Remember Me No Mora” and “ Fiddle and I,” Miss M. Bremer “The Old Lock,” Mr Hooper “Mona,” Mr Foley “ The Low backed Car,” the Misses Wybourne played a pianoforte duet as an opening overture. Mr and Mrs Nowcombe sang the “ A.8.C.” duet, for which they had to give an encore. Mr Findlay McDonald was, of course, callei back for his song “ Where did you get that hat,” ani Mr Hooper and Mrs Clark sang the duet, “ Life’s Dream is o’er, Farewell,” accompanied by Messrs Clark and Andrews on cornets, for which they were enthusiastically received. The accompaniments were played by Miss Wybourne, Messrs Harper and W. Muir. At the close of the concert the vicar thanked the per formers and then the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with great vigour until midnight, when the company separated. Waverley is to be congiatulated on the admirable arrangements of the Town Hall, an “ item ” of the evening’s entertainment which was very much appreciated by those who were responsible for getting it up.