COMMUNITY SING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20260, 8 November 1935, Page 16

COMMUNITY SING

SUCCESSFUL SESSION HELD PIPE BAND BENEFIT The popularity of Messrs R. McNair and A. Goodland, of Christchurch, as community song leaders and the desire of the people of Timaru to assist the Highland Pipe Band in its effort to raise funds to enable it to attend the New Zealand contest were both remarkably demonstrated in the Theatre Royal last night. The community sing was staged in the interests of the New Zealand Queen (Miss Patricia Ellis) in the All Nations Fair Queen Carnival, and attracted an overflowing house, many people being unable to gain admission. Messrs McNair and Goodland have become wellknown through radio broadcasts of their sings in Christchurch, and last night’s gathering gave them an enthusiastic welcome to Timaru.

In introducing the visitors, the Deputy-Mayor (Mr P. B. Foote) said that their voices were well-known over the air. but now Timaru had been afforded an opportunity of seeing them in the flesh. Mr Goodland had visited Timaru previously, but it was Mr McNair’s first appearance on a Timaru stage. They had conducted weekly sings in Christchurch, providing fine entertainment for many thousands of people throughout New Zealand, and at the same time raising large sums of money for charity. “We might indeed call them public benefactors.” said Mr Foote. He added that on this occasion Messrs McNair and Goodland had come to Timaru to assist the Highland Pipe Band to raise funds to enable it to go to Wanganui to attend the New Zealand Pipe Band contest, and he was sure all present hoped that the Band would bring back the honours. Mr McNair soon had the large assemblage in a happy frame of mind, and an enjoyable evening's singing was entered into wholeheartedly. During the evening items were given by Misses Orma Ford and June Head, tap dances; Mr R. Wills, elocution; Mr P. Abraham, tenor horn; and Master W. Fitzmaurice. soprano solos.

A particularly impressive item was supplied by the Pipe Band, under Drum-Major W. Andrew, which played the march “Heroes of Flodden” and the slow air “Green Hills of Tyrol." The New Zealand queen, wearing a cream satin Victorian frock with a blue cape and a posy of fern leaves, was presented with a bouquet. At the conclusion of the sing, a variety of articles was auctioned, the sale realising £4.

On behalf of the Pipe Band, DrumMajor Andrew thanked Messrs McNair and Goodland for coming from Christchurch to conduct the sing, and at his call three cheers were given the visitors. Cheers also were given for the New Zealand queen.