PLANTATION MELODIES

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1930, Page 8

PLANTATION MELODIES

NIGGER MINSTRELS PERFORM. SUCCESS OF INITIAL FUNCTION. Haunting melodies reminiscent of the old plantation days in the southern States of America and popular songs whose attraction will never wane were the basis of a programme presented m the town hall, Stratford, last night by the Swanee River Minstrels. There was a large attendance and the funds of the Boys’ Band, for the benefit of which tne performance was should be swelled considerably. Organised by Mr. P. Skoglund, the numerous items on the programme embraced all those features that are peculiar to a nigger minstrel show. Accompanying the singers was an orchestra of eight instruments under the control of Mr H. McCaskill, and the capable way in which the players brought out the depth of feeling with which nigger melodies abound contributed much to th? success of the performance. Five community songs were interspersed between items. Not one item failed to elicit a hearty round of applause, and despite its length the programme retained its interest till the last. There were few people who had not heard practically all the songs, but the items lost nothing of their attractiveness on that scores More probably the fact that the melodies were not new to them enabled the members of the audience to appreciate better the artistic manner in which the performer s handled their items. Such was the quality of the renderings that it would be difficult to single out any one item for special commendation. The patter was bright and witty. Still Mr. Skoglund s own composition “Good Times Will Soon Come Again,” was most appropriate when the present depression is engaging the minds of farmers and business men. The programme was: Opening chorus, “De Old Banjo,”, led by P. Aitken; “Old Folks- at Home,” R. Hook; “Razors in the Air,” R. Marsh; “Old Black Joe, b. Robinson; ‘My Old Kentucky Home,” J. Weston; “Good Old Jeff,” E. Pickles; “There’s a Council in the Town,” C. Till; “When Uncle Joe, etc.” P. Healy; “Camptown Races,” A. J. “Massa’s in the Cold Cold Ground, W. Lonsdale; “Carry Me Back to Old Virainny,” B. Bellringer; “Ise Gwine Back to Dixie,” C. Femmell; “Oh Dem Golden Slippers,” A. J. Harper; “Good Times Will Soon Come Again,” P. Skoglund: “Good Night,” P.. Coe. An interval was followed by Hie Little Player,” P. Coe; “Marie My Girl, R. Hook; Toselli’s .“Seranata,’ B. Bellringer; “I’ve Got the Blues in.My Old Kentucky Home,” P. Healy; duet, “The Moon Has Raised Her Lamp,’ P. Coe and R. Hook; comic song, A. J Harper; “The Old Log Cabin Down the Lane, 1. Aitken. . The orchestral personnel was: Misses Moon (piano), Rogers (violin), Saunders (’cello), Messrs. Rogers Rogers (violin), Dick (piccqllo), Voght (cornet), (trombone), Vinsen (drums and effects). Messrs. C. Till and R. Marsh had the bones, while the tambos were manipulated by Messrs. A. J. Harper and J. Christie. GENERAL ITEMS. v’ A total of 5100 dozen eggs was received by the Stratford Egg Circle for the month ending on October 25. The returns at the M.idhirst dairy factory show that' to date there is an increase for the season of 16 tons of butter. The majority of the butter factories will pay lOd this month, while the payment on cheese will probably be Is to Is Id. At the annual social of the Eltham Ladies’ Hockey Club there was a large attendance of members and supporters. The speakers, including the Mayor (Mr. I. J. Bridger), Messrs. G. H. P. Fitzgerald, A. R. Gower, A. Kemp and H. Murray, all referred to the outstanding success of the A team during the season in winning the Catran Cup at Hawera and the challenge shield for Taranaki, and congratulated the team and the captain. The B team had also done well and helped considerably by play-, ing matches with the A team. During the evening Miss Taylor, Conway Road, was presented with a' gold medal for the most improved player, and Miss Rita Potts with a medal for the most 'consistent player in the two teams. j At a meeting of the Eltham Bowling Club committee the following new members were elected: Messrs. W. Gowerj A. W. Packard, D. Gyde, G. Peebles and G. H. Mann. It was reported that a large number of entries was being received for the various club competitions. The closing date is November 10.

Mr. Ford, who has been headmaster at the Rawhitiroa school for four months, was farewelled on Friday night. Mr. J. Cocker, chairman of the school committee, spoke of the good work done at the school according to the inspector’s report while Mr. Ford had been relieving. His services had been most satisfactory, and the committee felt it could not allow Mr. Ford to leave Rawhitiroa on his transfer to Whangainomona without offering him congratulations and wishing him success. Mr. F. Silver spoke on behalf of the parents and thanked Mr. Ford for his kindness and attention to them. Mr. Ford in reply stated that he had thoroughly enjoyed his stay in the Rawhitiroa district. On Monday the new teacher, Mr. A. M. Wilson, was welcomed at the school by Mr. Cocker, who expressed the hope that the permanent teacher would have a successful and enjoyable stay at Rawhitiroa. A pathetic interlude occurred at the performance of the Minstrels at Stratford last night when Mr. P. T. Aitken, one of the performers, was advised just before he was going on to give the second tojast item that his house and all it contained were being subjected to the ravages of fire. ELTHAM THEATRE. “THE COLLEGE COQUETTE.” You will live your own college days again as you behold the campus and watch the antics of the .students. You will recall those escapades which made life a glorious round of pleasure and kept the professors busy seeking the culprit when you see “The College Coquette,” screening at tho Eltham Theatre to-night, but it is more than that, it is a picture full of humour, youth, sex appeal, beauty, story punch and a dramatic climax that reaches the heart in a way that gives you that “pack up your troubles” feeling, and as a whole makes an excellent entertainment.