BOYS MEET AT CLINTON

Southland Times, Issue 23818, 16 May 1939, Page 5

BOYS MEET AT CLINTON

YOUNG AUSTRALIANS AND VIENNA CHOIR SHORT ADDRESSES BY PRINCIPALS Thought to be the only two companies composed entirely of young boys at present touring the world, the Young Australians Revue Company and the Vienna Mozart Boys’ Choir, met on the Clinton railway station. The choir was travelling to Invercargill, where it appeared on Friday evening, and the Young Australians Company was travelling to Gore, en route to Invercargill, where it opened a season last night. Much interest was shown in the meeting and the boys fraternized on the station. Professor B. W. Caten, musical director attached to the revue company, gave a short address emphasizing the common ideals of the boys. He wished the choir the best of luck on its world tour. Dr Georg Gruber replied on behalf of the choir and three cheers were given by the respective companies.

The Young Australians Company, which incorporates sight-seeing with its concert tours, visited Eglinton Valley from Gore. The boys were very impressed by the magnificence of the country and the snow-capped peaks were a source of wonder to them. It was the first occasion on which several of the boys had seen snow. A director of the company, Mr R. J. Pollard, of Queensland, said that the party had been told in the north of the wonderful scenery in Southland and it had not been disappointed. A concert was given for the benefit of the men working at the various camps and the hospitality extended to the boys, was much appreciated. It was the intention of the company eventually to form an international boys’ revue, said Mr Pollard. Already in New Zealand two boys had joined the company and as the tour progressed more talented boys would be offered inclusion. Mr Pollard . said that the company was always on the look-out for talent and was arranging a “talentsearch” at the matinee performance to be held on Wednesday. All the boys in the company were between eight and 18 years of age, he said. Already very many well-known New Zealand beauty spots have been visited by the boys and after leaving Invercargill the party will go to Hokitika whence the glaciers will be visited.