WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144854, 4 December 1915, Page 7

WAITARA.

EROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT. December 3.—Every available inch of floor was covered la.M, mghi on mo occasion of the concert jpveu by the children of the Convent School, the proceeds of which are for the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The decorations tor the stage were most lavish, while tlre dresses were charming. -Not a detail bad been left to chance, and the only complaint to make was that the programme was too long, it being ’nearly eleven o’clock before the National Anthem was sung. The programme opened with a prologue by Master Leu. Ponplc, and the presentation to tiro Mayoress of a beautiful bouquet and to the Mayor a buttonhole. The Mayor,, in tendering thanks on behalf of the Mayoress and himself, said that he understood that it was on their own initiative that the children had decided to have the concert ill aid of our wounded soldiers. It is impossible to deal fully with the twenty-seven items of tho programme, and it must suffice to give the programme very briefly as follows: Pianoforte duet, Misses R. Whittle and M. MKenzie; chorus, "Welcome,” by the pupils, followed by a part song f,«jm tile same source; recitation, Miss D. Sugden; chorus, "The Tea Party,” junior pupils; action song, "Coach and Four,” senior pupils; pianoforte and violin duet, Miss T. Langman and Masters I. and L. Frost; song and tableaux, "Break the News to Mother.” pupils; hoop drill, pupils; song, "Four Little Curly-headed Coons,” pupils; pianoforte duet, Misses Finnerty, Roberts and MKenzie; song, "Serenade in Summer,” Miss M. Frost ; operetta, "Our News,” pupils; song, "Wo Deocfi and Dorich,” Master li, Longman; chorus, “Daddy’s Coming,” junior pupils; floral dance and song, pupils; soug and march, “The Awkward Squad,” pupils; dialogue, “Girls v. Boys”; song, “Knitting,” senior pupils; recitation, “Boys’ Rights,” Master K. Langman; song, “The Little Grey Homo in the West,” Misses M. and T. Langman and Doris Sugden; violin solo, Miss E. Mannix; recitation, “Total Annihilation,” R. Landman; part song, “Voices of tho Night, senior pupils; pianoforte duet, Misses B. Frost and M. Langman; final chorus, “God Defend New Zealand,” pupils. To comment on only .> few of tho items, Miss Doris Sugden was excellent throughout. Miss M. Frost made her debut as a vocalist with a very full round voice and with the promise of considerable volume. Master R. Hangman is a budding comedian, and sang “Wee Deoch and Dorich” with all the humour of Harry Lauder, and Miss E. Mannix’s violin playing was good. Of the groups or action songs, the “Coach and Four” was excellent, while the “Awkward Squad” was equally popular. The programme was a very long one, and the audience was merciful and did not insist on very many encores. Of the stage and the effects produced something must be said. Tho whole scheme was most tasteful, there was not a clash of colour anywhero, and the’ lighting, which was in the bands of Mr. W. Andrew, was all that could bo wished, tho limelight effects used for tho tableaux being delightful. The total receipts wore about £23, so that tho Wounded Soldiers’ Fund will benefit considerably. Certainly the sisters and, all those whose help contributed to make the event such a conspicuous success are to bo heartily complimented and congratulated on tho result of their efforts, which must have been almost stupendous.

Tho Methodist community arc holding a garden party shortly in the grounds kindly lent tor t.he purpose by Mr. W. Andrew. The’ proceeds are for tho Sunday School Fund. Many attractions aro to* be provided, including a picture show, plenty of music, as well as stalls for the sale of fancy articles, lorries, etc.

Tho Patriotic Fund is likely to benefit considerably as tbo result of entertainments given this week, there having been three events which have produced good sums. On Thursday tho Convent School entertainment produced £2B, last Tuesday night Tikorangi contributed somp £6 or £6, while on the same night the highly successful concert arranged by tno Misses Wheatley realised about £lB. By tho way, reports I have received of this last-named concert go to show that a record has been put up for Lepperton, £l4, being the highest total obtained for a concert in the hall hitherto. Not only is this the case, but tho programme was a particularly good one, and tho audience was enthusiastic. Tho remark has been made in W’aitara that it will be a pity if the one concert is to bo the final, as it would bo appreciated in other townships. Miss Foxe appeared twice in the programme and received well merited encores. Mr. Stan. Tate was in particularly good form as an elocutionist, as also was Mr. Goldsworthy. Mr. Hooker’s tenor was greatly appreciated, and Mrs. Roberts' is deservedly popular in Lepperton, while Mr. J. Campbell, as Harry Lauder, of course brought things to a climax at the cud of both parts of the programme. Mr. Bert Wells contributed a song, and Mr. Luke a recitation The concert concluded with tho small farce, “Aunt Virginia’s Ear Trumpet.” Aunt Virginia was Miss M. Wheatley, who made the house rock with laughter. Miss Menzies made an excellent boy (Albert), Miv, Marlow was a kind of “silver tail” (Mis. Dunfield), who had her eye on her aunt’s money, while Miss Foxe, as Albert’s jiansen, caused a good deal of amusement by her barefaced spooning with Albert on tho stage. Perhaps I mieht also add envy as well ns amusement. Mr. N. Little was John, who eventually inherited tho money envied by Mrs. Dunfield, while a tableau, “Nursery Rhymes,” was highly appreciated. It will thus bo seen that these three events in one week will benefit the North Taranaki Fund to the total of about £50,.