THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14453, 27 May 1911, Page 2

THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIMARU. | REQUIREMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS, i Mr Hugo Gorlitz was in Timaru yesterday in connection with tlie performances of die £'n*fnekl. C-'noir in Christchureh in July, to endeavour to ennsure that a suineieiit number of Tiiiiaru people will apply tor tickets lor at least one of tne performances to justify application being made for a special 'train to return to Timaru after the last performance. To ensure tliis it is necessary to obtain a minimum of 100 passengers by that tnr.u to Timaru, which wotilu yield only .half of the amount of tho guarantee required by the Department. Dr. iiarriss undertaking tho other half . Excursion.or half fares will rule generally, in favour of tho visit 'of tho Choir, and a seeond'class fare couri\ts .one equally with a first. '•'•■ It appears: that, the last performances in Christchurch are a matinee aiid 1 au evening on a Wednesday,, and in order to make it more convenient for Timaru people to attend the last and' best performance, of whicji tho famous oratorio "Elijah" will be the principal item, Mr M. U'orlitz suggested to the Mayor that he should ask tlie business people to hold their weekly half holiday in that week 011 the Wednesday instead of Thursday. Mr Craigie, who is taking much interest in the visit of tho great musi- . eal combination, adopted the suggestion, and will make that request. If it is agreed l to, persons in business can, after closing, cntch the second express and reach Ohristchurch in plenty of time to get to the Concert Hall — King 'Edward Barracks. Those ivlio are free from business ties can go up by tho early morning train, hear two performances, and return by the night special. As however .the majority of people have such ties, the transfer of the half-holiday is a point of considerable importance. In order that arrangements may bo made for the special train (if the patronage offered justifies one) and in order that seats may he assured to those coming from a distance, applications for tickets must be sent in, either from individuals, or collected by local committees, before the 12th June, when the general booking in Ghristclmicli j will begin. In consideration for i.lih-; I who travel, and apply beforehand as I ft.ted, their srats will be albtted hetore, the plan is opened m 1 * the Christeh.r.ch office. Mr Gorlitz says he has 'i.> doubt at all that far more, than tho ■:. illinium required would he. Ob taUU'd if tli3 amplications could be left to the last moment; but unfortunately they cannot. Mr Harriss is prepared to guarantee half the cost of tho train but not the whole. The oth?r naif must be provided by persons desiring to hear the- choir, and this must i>e done in time.to -enable a train to be arranged for; and in order to ensure that seats shall be available, the, applications must be made still earlier than would be necessary on that score. The Mayor is taking' a livelv interest in the matter, and will call a public meeting shortly to arrange a committee to collect applications for tickets and forwiard them to the Christchurch office before June 12th, in order that seats may be secured. ' ■ A suggestion has been made to Mr Gorlitz winch he hopes will be carried out. The .Choir will travel from Christchurch to Dunedin on July 6th, by a special train—passing through Timaru about 11.40 a.m. As there are no spare refreshment cars, all there are being employed in the regular expresses, it has been suggested that arrangements should be made for Timaru people to show their goodwill to the pcirtv of Homeland visitors by giving theiii "a cup of tea" in a marquee at i.nue convenient point about tlie station. His "Worship will doubtless brim* til's suggestion forward at tlip public meeting he proposes to call. (It would be something to remember, to hear that enormous choir—there ar-e TO in the .party—sing the "Grace.")