SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13649, 17 July 1908, Page 3

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Tlio cvwett, jn aid of the Winchester Sunday School whs Jiold on Wednesday '•veiling in the Victoria Hall. There was •>■ crowded attendance. Tho iirst part consisted of a, kinderspiel. The opening overi lire was played by Marjorie Shallard and Myra. Shaw. Miss Nellie Opie played the ;'.<-conipaniments. The principal characters wero:—Tlio Queen, Freda Barrett; Mistress Mary, Iris Cliff; Humpty Dumpty, Stanley Davey; Jack and Jill, Lance AkCaskill and Louisa JVluddren; Old Mother liubbard, Nela McCaskill; Little Boy Blue, Francis Barrett; Little Jack Horner, Charles Davey; Little Red Riding Hood, Ivy Louden; Little Bopeep, Nellie Stewart. During the progress of the Kinderspiel there was given an. item by I eight soldier boys who sang "Marching on to Victory." A Swing Song, where Misses B. .Ensor and A. Barrett gave Isabel McCaskill, Dorrie South and Lucy \oung a swing to a musical accompaniment, and a Skipping Song in which Doris Deßenzy, Maggie McClelland and Myra Shaw were the performers, wero also part of the porformaucr. The second part of tho programme, comprised a duet on the piano by Nclla and Gordon McCaskill; it Tambourine March by «ouiu prettily dressed girls; a Recitation by Gertie Stewart; an Action Song by Millie Stewart and a chorus of giri.s; a recitation by Olive Wilks; a song by three Flowergirls—Alice Barrett (England), Barbara Ensor (Ireland), and Olive Stewart (Scotland (tin's was encored) ; a. recitation by Lance McCaskill ;a performance by five nigger boys; a lullaby song by Millie Stewart with a sweet chorus, and a song "Niddley Nod" by all the children. The Rev. Mr Adcock in proposing a vote of thanks to all who had assisted in organising the entertainment, complimented the promoters on their success as evidenced by tho excellent programme. The vote was. carried by acclamation. A verse of ihe National Anthem was sung at the con-i-lusion of the conceit. The third of the series of entertainments in aid of the Geraldine Parish Hall building fund, was given on Wednesday evening to a full house. The programme which was entirely organised by Mrs P. G. lVaeocke, was computed mainly of items by the children and each of these met with the heartiest possible approval and encores in every ease insisted upon, and the manner in which llio lititle one* acquitted themselves was pleasing proof of tha care that had been bestowed on their training. The curtain rose on "Ten Little Dicky Birds" perched on a fence, and as the song proceeded narrating their various mishaps, the little girls disappeared from view one by one until t'ntwwere none left. They disappeared and reappeared so quaintly, keeping capital 1 ime with the music, that the audience was quite taken by storm. Then eightmischievous looking young ragamuffins came on with a great noise and clatter and danced and cut various antics while they sang " Didn't you do tho 6ame" in a manner that carried the minds of the audience back to childhoods happy days. Messre 0. Gimson and E .White and B. White gave a very bright vocal trio '" Faint Heart never won Fair Lady" which they accompanied with a little step dance and shuffle and they were warmly encored. The Sleigh Bell March by a number of little girls was another ivery pretty scene as they performed their evolutions to the musical jingle of the bells. Six little imps next appeared in conventional black and horns at the witching hour of midnight. Then six fairies- waveti their wands over the imps who thereupon rose and joined in the dance with the fairies. They pursued their revels merrily around Midnight until suddenly the cock crowed and imps and fairies disappeared as mysteriously as they came, leaving the impression that the whole scene had been but a midsummer night's dream. Eight girls attired as Red Riding Hoods sang Raindrops Pat.ering while under their reel umbrellas, they appeared nob to mind the rain at all. Later they appeared in night attire and sang their last song " Goodnight." The audience insisted on hearing it again. Two concerted vocal minstrel selections were given by Mrs Peacocke, Misses Gimson and Burridge and Messrs C. Gimson and B. White. Mr E. White sang "Take a pair of sparkling eyes." Mrs Bruce was very successful in her song "Sing Me to Sleep" and Mrs Hullah received an encore for her rendering of " Under tflie Rests." The accompanists were Misses Hughes and Sherratt and they assisted very much in making the entertainment an enjoyable one. Tho Rev. S. Hamilton on behalf of the Parish Guild thanked the performers for their labours and the public for their support.