BACKBLOCKS MISSIONS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145862, 22 June 1917, Page 4

BACKBLOCKS MISSIONS.

SALE OF WORK AND CONCERT. A very successful effort on behalf of the Back-blocks mission was made in St. Mary’s Hall on Thursday. Proceedings commenced in the afternoon with a sale of work, the various stalls being well patx-onised. Mesdames Newman and ; Dabb and Miss Norman had charge of the plain-work stall, and Misses M'Kellar, Marshall and Wilson the shilling stall; produce, Mrs. M'Kellar, Misses Norman and Curtis; bran tub, Misses Pelham and Crooke; afternoon lea, Misses Godfrey, StephensonSmith, J. Arden, Matthews, K. Leatham, L. Cutfield, Whitcombe, Mace, Lovell. The takings for the afternoon exceeded £3l, a result that must have been gratifying to the secretary (Miss Godfrey) and the workers generally. :.In the evening a concert was held in aid of the funds, and a very enjoyable entertainment was provided. A. piano overture was played by Miss Hirst, and the second item was a good recitation by Miss Norma Collins. An instrumental quartette —Misses Leatham and I. Hirst, Mr. and Master Rocket—was next heard in a well-played selection, and another was given later in the evening which was encored. Mr. A. R. MacDonald sang “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind,” in his usual convincing fashion, and later gave “Prince Ivan’s Song,” encores being demanded on both occasions. Miss M. Peart was in excellent voice, and her rendering pf the four songs which the audience demanded of her, was delightful to listen to. Mrs. Wilkes, Miss Hiue, Mr. T. G. Hirst and the Rev. Mr. Harvio were heard in the novel quartette, “Breathe so softly,” and the closing item of the first half introduced a new singer in Mrs. Campbell. This lady is the possessor of a very fine voice, all her tour songs being well worth listening to, and it is to be hoped it will not be long before wo hoar her again. Mrs. Wilkes, always a favourite performer, was deservedly encored for her singing of “Mountain Lovers,” and a similar compliment was accorded Mrs. Holbrook, who recited very finely “The Dandy Fifth.” A now departure at local concerts was a concerto (two pianos) by Misses Benton and Leatham, a selection from Grieg being given in faultless style by these ladies. The pianos. Chappells, were kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Collier* At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. T. G. Hirst, who was assisted by Miss I a - tham in organising the entertainment, returned thanks to all those who had given their assistance. The singing of the National Anthem brought the evening to a close. The total proceeds of the day are between £35 and £4O.