THE CHEER GERM

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2581, 5 August 1922, Page 5

THE CHEER GERM

CAMBRIDGE LEADS THE WAIKATO !TAU.RANGA'S RECORD SMASHED The wonderful way in which community singing has "caught on" in this district was exemplified by the magnificent gathering held at the Cambridge Town Hall last Thursday night, when the second of the series was/hold. No doubt interest was intensified by tho fact that the Rev. Jasper;' Calder, of Auckland, was advertise/ as songleader, the fame that gentleman has won in that capacity havihg spread far and wide. Although tyb function was timed to start at>Wsp.m., practically ' every seat was occupied by 7 o'clock, i and those, who arrived later had to W stand, or were accommodated in extra seating provided in the aisles, on the platform, and elsewhere. Thus when the curtain was raised there was gatk-, ered together probably the biggest congregation of district residents ever seen in a building in Cambridge, if not an the whole Waikato, excluding Hamilton. It was generally estimated that there must have been over some 1200 people present', and this estimate seems a conservative one, seeing that there •were no less than 1172 coins depositod on the collection plate. Mr Geo. Dickinson, who was the prime mover iiv the - introduction of community singing in Cambridge, intro- ■ ihieed M» S. Lewis; the Mayor. Challeijpi to : Tanranga .... I His., vv'orship, "ia'jt 1 -?!'-introductory remarks, said they had noticed by the daily papers that Tauranga had had an attendance of 500 people, with a collcc- ... tion of £7 10/, at its community sing-

ing gathering this week. This they - > claimed as a. record, proportionately, for New Zealand. Mr Lewis, amidst loud applause, said he would challenge that claim, on behalf of Cambridge. They must have .fully a thousand people present that night, and he was sure the collection would, easily eclipse Tarnranga's £7 10/. Why at Cambridge's initial "s'.ng" £l2 4/ had been collected. Mr Lewis proceeded to explain that of that £l2 4/, the net proceeds (£5 2/) had been handed to the Plunket Society. The Mayor then, in happy vein, introduced tho Rev. Jasper Calder, to whom he extended tho citizens' thanks for his great kindness in visiting Cambridge at great personal inconvenience. Mr Calder was one of those few men who was devoting his whole energies to the care of the poor "down-and-outs" in the city, and the speaker appealed to those present to hearten him in his good work by giving a good •collection, which was to be devoted to that purpose. The Leader "Makes Good" Rev. Jasper Calder immediately fulfilled his reputation as a song leader. S He* swayed the vast audience as only h a true musician can,-while his humorous J remarks and genial bonhomie proved irresistibly infectious. Song after song was gone through-with great vim and heartiness. The calls for various .sections to prove their powers were immediately responded to,' and everything went with a splendid swing from beginning to end. A pleasing feature of the evening was the musical harmony—to say nothing of the social enjoyment—that prevailed. With but very few exceptions, the audience followed the beat, inspired by the magnetism of the leader, and as a result the ; songs Avcnt with a splendid rhythmic swing, in good harmony, and with fair attention to expression marks. There could be no doubt that all keenly enjoyed the.gathering. During the ing solos were sung by tho KcV. T. H. Eoscvearc ("Annie Laurie"), Messrs T. Boyce ("Mary"), and -P.. Baker ("The Bells of St. Mary's"). In the latter item Rev. Jasper Calder sujiplied a bells accompaniment, with delightful effect, to the intense enjoyment of all present. The song leader also contributed a humorous song. Record Collection

When the collection had been countthe pleasing result was announced that it had amounted to the record sum 1 of .nearly £45. This announcement was greeted with cheers. Mr Calder expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Cambridge people for their generous response, stating that the collection was almost as much as was received at Auckland from 5000 people. Mr Calder also sincerely thanked all who had gone out of their way to make his outiiig such a pleasant one, and said he would long remember his Cambridge visit.

Musical honours were accorded the t;%ig leader, followed by cheers for His Worship the Mayor, and Mr Dickinson, and to Messrs Alt. Boyce (piano), and Mr Lichwark (violin), for their excellent accompaniments. THE PPOC.EEDS

Mr J. W. Cocks, who acted as treasurer, has kindly supplied us with an mte'resting analysis of the collection received, which shows that it comprised £4 2/0 iu half-crowns, £4 in florins, shillings £S 2/, sixpences £9 4/0, threepenny pieces .£5 13/ti, bronze 9/0, A cheque'for £5 5/ for special purpose

in connection with Eev. dasper Calder's mission was also received, bringing up the grand total to £4.6 17/. The total expenditure in connection with the function is estimated at only £4 (>/, therefore that leaves the very handsome sum of £42 .11/ to be handed to Mr Calcdr's 'down-and-out' .mission—a..record of which Cambridge may vwoll be proud. - y , A „ ti .Jj.