ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144709, 18 June 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RAILWAY PATRIOTIC COM CRETAN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. Despite the inclement weather on Thursday evenin'; there was a great crowd at the Theatre Royal, when two patriotic concert organised by tho Notv Plymouth railway stall was ueld. Llm stalls and pit were crowded, and there were not many vacant seats in the dress circle. The proceeds of the concert were in aid of the National Fund for the relief of wounded New- Zealanders and their dependents, and lor the dependents of those who fall. The Now Plymouth public responded_so well that it is expected close on £95 will ho handed over to the fund. The stage of the theatre was excellently decorated, a miniature railway signal occupying a prominent position. Ac tho back of the stage was a large screen, painted by Mr. W. L. AViliuot, of the local railway staff, on which was depicted a locomotive travelling at full speed. On _ this screen wore also tiro words, “For Ring and tho Empire.” A large number ot flags—the Union Jack and the New Zea land ensign occupying positions of vantage—and ferns and palms completed a very attractive spectacle. The energetic committee had boomed the. concert, and patrons attended anticipating something out of tho ordinary, and in this they wore not disappointed. Though lengthy, the programme thoroughly pleased everyone, tills being evidenced by the rousing encores which followed each item. Tho Citizens’ Band opened the programme with some excellent'y executed patriotic airs. In the second half of tho pro. gramme tho band gave a capital rendering of “The Smithy in the Wood.” A squad of boys from tho Central School were put through physical drill, and they were rewarded with rounds of applause. Mr. G. Buckley, ox-champion cornet soloist of New Zealand, was in great form, and his playing of “Rule Britannia,” ‘‘Titanic/’ and “The Lost Chord” was a treat. Master B. Morerlcy contributed a couple of violin solos in good style, and Mr. Gadd received hearty applause for his work on tho banjo'. .Air. J. Hash in was in excellent form, and his singing of “Little grey home in the west,” “Bancleiorio,” and “A littlo love, a littlo kiss” was much appreciated. Mr. and Miss Norris were enthusiastically oncored for their rendering of “Tho spider and (ho fly,” and they replied with “No, sir.”' Air. G. Lambert, who is very popular with the local public, pleased with “Time was I roved the mountains” and “Invitations.” Mr. F. Asher contributed “Soldiers ot the King” in good stylo. Miss Ivy Scott, who has an excellent stage personality, charmed her audience with “Tho Expeditionary Force,” “Philosophy,” and “The Navy.” Mr. Goldsworthy gave a stirring recital of “Tho Day,” which was composed by Henry Chappell, a Bath railway porter, and “The telephone girl.” Miss R. Rea and Miss Veta Gilbert contributed several vocal items, which wore well received. Miss Rea sang “An old garden” and “Peg away.” Miss Gilbert scored great successes for her rendering of “Plum stones” and “The boy who stuttered and the girl who lisped,” she appearing in the latter with Mr. Lambert. Miss E. M'Guiro sang “Somewhere a voice is calling” and “Good old Now Zealand,” and received insistent encores on both occasions. Tho comic clement of the programme was supplied by Messrs. L. Smith and Key. Mr. Smith was successful in provoking roars of laughter in “Pull for the shore” and “My old iron cross.” Messrs. Key and Smith scored a great hit in “Who smashed Bill Kaiser?” Tho accompaniments wore played by Misses George, Henderson, Gilbert and Pike, and Messrs. Golding and Gardner. Before concluding our report, a special word of praise is duo to the committee and those responsible for the excellent manner in which they conducted the concert. They have worked hard in a very deserving cause, and are to bo congratulated on the great success that attended their efforts. Iho committee was as follows;—Messrs. S. G. Smith (chairman), F. Gardiner (hon. secretary and treasurer). Key, Pratt, Poach, Fellow, Neill, B. 11. Gardner, Riddoch, Connolly, Reed, M’Farlanc, Matthews, Thomson, Donohue, Lcndrum and Horsuoll. BALANCE-SHEET. Dr. Herald tickets supplied free of charge—£sl 7s. Tickets (roll) sold at theatre—£34 13s 6d. Box plan Collier’s—£2 18r Gd. Donations—Hon. W. H. Hurries, £1 Is; E. H. Hiley, Esq., 10s; H. Okey, Esq., 10s; J. E. Wilson, Esq., £1 Is; H. Allen, Esq., ss; J. Clarke, Esq., 10s; Empire Picture Co., £1 10s—£4 17s. Railway stall’s subscriptions for refreshments band and artists—£l 16s. Proceeds sale pipe donated by A.S.R.S Society railway staff, New Plymouth—£2. Advertisements in programme.— Webster Bros,, Uockrill, AYm. Rowe, N.Z. Clothing Co., Emeny, O. H. Drew, H. L. Oattley, Korn and Manners, Gadd. M'Ewen Bros., Mollison, Davies, Melbourne Clothing Co., May and Arrowsmith, Cook and Thomson, National Insurance Co., Red Post, Ching Kec, N.Z. Insurance Co., 10s each ; Precce and Dinglo, os each ; Collier, £l—£ll. Total—£lo9 2s. Cr. Herald programmes, net cost—£6. Empire Picture Co., hire Theatre Royal-—£G 10s. Refreshments for band and artists, A. AVoollcr —£1 Is 6d. Telegrams, stamps, stationery— 5s 3d. Cost of calico for box plan and Emmerton’s express—2s 4d. Paid to Herald for National Fund—£9s 2s lid. Total—£loo 2s.