POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 95, 2 September 1868, Page 2

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.

— * — V. c confess that we were never more surprised than we were last evening, to see such h crowded attendance at the Town Hall, notwithstanding that the weather was quite as severe as it had been on any previous occasion during the winter. Last night's terminated the series of winter entertainments ; and it must be a matter of regret that such was the case, for in our opinion they mi_jht have been continued at any rate until the latter end of October. All are of one opinion as to the benefits of the system of popular entertainments which has been so successfully estab 'ished; the overflowing audiences at all the entertainments clearly demonstrated that they have met with universal approval; but it must have been a matter of some wonderment that the opportunity was not taken at the close of last night's entertainment, to thank the committee, in a formal vote, for the services they bad rendered to the public and to request a continuance of the readings until the season had so far advanced as to render in-door enjoyments objectionable. The omission must not be attributed to any absence of appreciation on the part of those who were on the platform or in the body of the hall. The hour was far advanced, and the matter was overlooked through sheer forgetfulness. In all our notices of the popular entertainments, we have avoided criticism in its real signification, in the consciousness that as all the performances were voluntary, any defects •hould be charitably passed over. If any shortcomings could be pointed to, they would most probably confine themselves to but one feature of the entertainment, and that is that the readings for the most part have been far too lengthy. If we said that last night's entertainment was quite as successful as was anticipated, we Bhould be saying what no

ono present would give us credit for believing. So far as the musical department was concerned, the performances were excel'en t but the readings were the failing characteristic. Those of the Very Rev the Dean and Mr Ollivier were too lengthy to be entertaiuing. The other readings, however, did not trespass so much upon the patience of the audience, who were evidently in favour of brevity. The Opening Address was dehv red by the Very Key. the Bishop of '. hristchurch. His Lordship referred briefly to the beneficial results which were certain to follow the movement. It had been said that the movement was intended for the working classes, and he trusted that such was the case. The working man occupied the most dignified position; aud though he did not work with his hands, he claimed the position —he might say the dignity — of the working man. (Applause.) His I-ordship then referred to the programme at some length, and expressed his conviction that the series of entertainments which had been established would be productive alike of improvement and instruction. VThe readings in the first part of the programme were " The Lady and the Knight," hy Mr J. G. Hawkes ; a portion of " Enoch Arden," by the Very Rev the Dean, of Christchurch ; and " The Relics of General Chasec "by Mr Ollivier. All three were pretty well read ; but the audience were wearied almost beyond endurance hy the latter two. We tru-t that in future better judgment will be shewn by those _who announce their intention to reac£j If. rests more with the committee, perhaps, to place a limit on each reading Such a course, we are persuaded, would be productive of more general satisfaction. rhe musical portion of the entertainment (vocal and instrumental), was a redeeming feature ; and all who took part in it have every reason to congratulate themselves on the success which attended their performances, and the manner in which they were appreciated by over a thou«and people of all classes. The violin and pianoforte duet by Messrs Bonnington and Waddington was a treat which the audience did not fail to Hppreciate, for loud calls for an encore were kept up for a considerable time. The rules of the committee, however, forbid repetitions. A tenor snx horn solo by Mr Packer was ali*o well received ; and the pianoforte sonata — "Consolation," by Mr J. A. Waddington, was admirably given and justly applauded By the time tbe first part of the programme was gone through, it was nearly ten o'clock ; and the Chairman of Committee (Mr Olli vier) - was obliged to announce that it would be necessary to curtail the second part unless the audience were in favour of its being given from beginning to end. The show of hands was decidedly in the affirmative, and with the omission of a reading by the Rev E. A. Lingard, the programme was carried out in its entirety. Mr A. O. Cottrell was announced to read " • .arry O'Bannigan's Letter to his wife Judy at. Mullinafad," and he acted up to his promise in a manner which brought the house down in roars of laughter. The glen "Come Bounteous May," followed ; and afterwards Mr J. F. M'Cardell commenced to read from Dickens, hut owing to some interruption he discontinued before he had proceeded far with his reading, telling the audience that he considered it advisable to take warning in time. Mr M'Cardeil was assured that the interruption had not the sanction of anything like the majority of the audience, but he declined to proceed. The instrumental septet was indeed a charming performance, the composition being interpreted with great accuracy. The glee " Blow, Gentle Gales," was also a success. Messrs Zincgraf and Palairet also rendered good service at the piano. Mr C. C. Bowen delivered the concluding address. He expressed the gratification he felt at the high degree of success which had attended the series, of entertainments juit now about to be brought to a close, and hoped it would stimulate the committee 'to do something more than they had done already. He noticed from the reports in the newspapers that it waß proposed by one of the Committee that the surplus proceeds should be devoted to a fund for the establishment of a free library. (Applause.) He thought the Committee acted wisely in deciding that the surplus should be spent to more immediate advantage ; but still, they should not lose sight of the free library. He believed that a free library was an absolute necessity in a free state, and instanced the working of the institution in the City of Boston, America, which he had had the pleasure of visiting. The example offered by Boston was one which every free State ought to follow. That library was for the mo«t part endowed by magnificent private gifts; and alth-ugli Canterbury had not arrived at that state of perfection as to enable a library to be similarly endowed, still the undertaking could be carried to a successful issue. He had a suggestion to offer, by which they could form the nucleus of a free library. At the present time all those wellhound volumes which had cost the province a large sum of money were carefully sheltered under red curtains from every chance of being made use of ; and he thought it would be well worth the consideration of Provincial Councillors, whether they would not bs conferring a great benefit to the State if they were to open that library ami place it at the disposal of everyone within reach of it. (Cheers.) If such a nucleus were procured, subscriptions would flo.w in, and by degrees they could establish a free library, reading and lecture room. By degrees they might have a real popular college without entrance fee- 1 , examinations, or fixed times when anyone would go and enquire for what information he pleased — where some could find useful recreation and others acquire Bpecial knowledge on some subject wbich they wished to get up. The question of education was a most important one. In his opinion, not one of the colonies of England j

had placed the question of education where it ought to be mentioned among all political questions — absolutely in the flrst rank (Chears). If the people were narrowminded and ignorant, their representatives must be likewise, whereas, if they laid the foundation of education deep and broad among the people, they might with confidence look forward to a prosperous future, and to rulers who would be a credit to the country Churches and schools might do their work. but they could not do everything. They li id reason to be thaukf ul for the success which had attended the present exp.vitn.nt of popular enrertatnmenta, became it had pointed out the way by wiiich they might secure a social education, broad, outspreading and liberal, outside churches and schools ; and supplement their efforts, correct their mistakes anil soften their prejudices—by which they might secure an education which ■■night be called " National " in the highest sense of the word. (Cheers.) The National Anthem whs then suug, and thus the proceedings terminated at five minutes to 1 1 o'clock. The musical part of the entertainment was under the direction of Mr Bonnington, and the vocal under that of Mr McCardell.