Kakanui Relief Fund.

Southland Times, Issue 11671, 27 February 1891, Page 2

Kakanui Relief Fund.

The concert given by the Garrison Band in the Zealandia Hall yesterday evening in aid of the Kakanui Relief Fund was liberally patronised, although the attendance was nut, perhaps, so large aa might have been expected. The band played the programme of selections previously announced, and delighted everybody with their excellent performance. The gross takings amounted to L 4 10s 9d, so that when the unavoidable expenses are deducted something over L 3 will remain to go to the fund. A concert in aid of the sufferers by the Kakanui disaster was held at the port oa Wednesday night in the drill shed. The attendance was most gratifying, and showed the thorough sympathy of the people with the object, of the concert ; in fact, a larger number has never assembled to hear either professional or amateur entertainers at the Bluff. The tirst part of the programme consisted of songs, &c, while the latter part was the comedy "My Turn Next," performed by the Amateur Dramatic Society. The proceedings were opened with a short address by Mr Samuel Nichol, who stated the object of the concert and thanked the audience for their attendance. In the course of hU remarks he stated that a subscription list would be open at Messrs Nichol Bros.' store in aid of the fund and that all who so desired could leave their contributions there. The Glee Club, under the leadership of Mr Johnson (Mr Gray, their conductor, being unavoidably absent) sang three glees in good style. Mrs Creagh sang " Yesterday," Miss Bradshaw gave a selected song, and Miss Snerlock sang "I will take you home again, Kathleen " very nicely. Miss Smith gave a recitation in capital style and gives promise of taking a place in the front rank of elocutionists. Mr Hay's recitation — " Mary Queen of Scots " — was hardly so successful, and the length of the piece rendered the audience, especially the junior members, rather impatient for its termination. Mu>a N. Bradshaw Mr Reed gave the duet " Money Matters" and Mv Brown a capital comic recitation. In the comedy, the principal part was taken by Mr Johnson, assisted by Masai s Hay, }>. Jv/nnaon, and Burtenshaw, while the ladies* parts were well filled by Misses Wilson, Ford ham, and Walker. A fault of the comedy was that those at the back of the hall had the greatest difficulty in hearing what was said. Taken all through the enter iaimnent, was a great success. The proceeds will amount to a good sum. Those who promoted the concert may be heartily congratulated upon the successful issue thereof. On Wednesday night the Wyndham Christy Minstrels gave an entertainment in Beaton's Hall, Fortrose, in aid of the widows and orphans of those lost in the s.s. Kakanui. There was a crowded house. The first part of the programme consisted of the usual circle business, when gags new and ancient were provided by the corner men, Messrs Jocelyu and Kitson, and " Johnson" (Mr Brown). Thesongs were all well sung, but the acoustic properties of the hall could well be improved. The most successful aongs were " The old Rustic Bridge" (Mr Fahey) and " I'll take you home again, Kathleen" for which Mr Forsyth received an encore. The second part opened with a cornet and piano overture by Messrs Brown and Forsyth, after which Messrs Kitson, VVaugh and Brown aang. The sketch " The Barber's Shop" by Alessrs Fahey and Forsyth, fairly convulsed the audience. This was undoubtedly the most amusing part of the evening's fun, although the Messrs Petett brothers efforts were more meritorous. These gentlemen are a host in themselves, and their acting and playing on such musical instruments as an old coffee pot and a patent machine made of gutter piping were really good. They also gave selections on the banjo and a brass instrument. The entertainment was brought to a close by the farce " Slocum's Dog," Messrs Forsyth, Jocelyn and Kitson taking the various parts. A dance followed, for which Messis Forsyth (piano), Smart and Fahey (violins) and Brown (cornet) supplied the music. — Own correspondent.