NELSON OPERATIC SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15259, 22 December 1919, Page 7

NELSON OPERATIC SOCIETY.

VISIT TO BLENHEIM. The- members of the Nelson Operatic Society returned from Blenheim during the week-end after a most successful and enjoyable visit to the sister capital. Although rain was falling when the party left on Thursday morning, it ceased before the Rai was reached, and perfect weather was experienced for the remainder of the journey. Blenheim was reached" before lunch, and on arrival the visitors were very cordially received by the local amateurs. lv the afternoon a rehearsal was held in His Majesty's Thoatre—one of the most modern houses of amusement in the Dominion—which has seating accommodation for twelve hundred persons. In the evening "Paul Jones was played to a large house, the takings exceeding the biggest night at Nelson. The performers were on their mettle, and the audience throughout were most appreciative and generous with their applause, encores for both principals and chorus being frequent. After the "performance the visitors were the guests of the Blenheim amateurs at supper at the Loloma Tea Rooms, the Mayor (Mr J. J. Corry) presiding. The gathering was a very happy one, being marked by the utmost cordiality. The Mayor spoke of the pleasuro it gave the Blenheim people to have a visit from the Nelson amateurs, arid said that the performance of the opera was something they should be proud or. Mr i<. W. Hamilton (president of the Nelson bociety), in acknowledging tiie kindness oi the Blenheim Society, expressed the hope that the visit would be an annual one. .■ . ~ Next morning a number of the visitors went for a motor drive round the suburbs of Blenheim, while others patronised the local swimming baths. In the afternoon the majority of the company visited the Wairau Hospital (cars being kindly provided free by Messrs Newman Broa.), wrhere they were received by the chairman of the board (Mr J- J. Corry J and Matron Fulton. A concert wan criven, vocal and instrumental items befng contributed by the members whik several of the "Paul Jones" choruses were also given. Mr Corry thanked th€ visitors, for their unselfishness in spending the afternoon at the Hospital, anc assured them that the concert that nac been given had been much enjoyed, noi ofilv 'by the patients, but also by the stalf. The visitors were then entertained at afternoon tea by the matron and staff, after which they were ehowr over the institution. The ladies were especially interested in the laundry, where the clothes are washed, dried, ironed, and.aired by machinery. -Ant chairman was congratulated upon having such a fine hospital, and regret was expressed that the Nelson Board had been so dilatory in failing to erect a new building here. In the evening there \yas a largei audience than on the opening night, and they were most enthusiastic in thou expressions of appreciation. Mr George Bush and Master Ron Bush as Bouillabaisse and "The Insect" respectively were recalled again and again for "Two Mariners Bold/ the local verses quite "bringing down the house." Likewise in "The King of the Mosquitos" both principal ana chorus were practically played to a standstill, before the demands of the audience were satisfied, lief oro the final curtain, Mr F. W. Hamilton (president of the Nelson Society) thanked the Blenheim people for the generous patronage they had accorded the opera, and for the many kindnesses that members of the Blenheim Society had extended to the visitors. He also thanked the Mayor (Mr Corry) for his kindness to the visitors, and Miss Fanny Langley and Mr Jordan for tilling the places of two members of the orchestra who had been unable to

make the trip. The company then gave three cheers for the citizens of Blenheim, and the National Anthem concluded a performance that will live long iv the memories of those who witnessed it. After the opera the company and several of the officials of the Blenheim Society were the.guests of Mr Hamilton at* the Loloma Tea Rooms, where a very enjoyable, time was spent. Tho return journey was made on Saturday. A halt was called for a couple of hours at the Pelorus bridge, where lunch was partaken of in the bush iSlelson was reached about 5 p.m. with-

out any untoward incident. The company sire unanimous in their praise of the kindness and hospitality of the

Blenheim people, and are prepared to admit that there are three things in

which Blenheim beats' \is badly, viz., hospital, theatre, and swimming baths.