PORANGAHAU CONCERT.

Waipawa Mail, Volume VII, Issue 713, 5 December 1884, Page 4

PORANGAHAU CONCERT.

Satijkpav, the 22nd November, being the «l;tv fixed fur tlie Pnrutigahuii Concert. I n ***d hardly say that most of those who took any immediate interest in the matter were on the tip-toe of mingled hope and anxiety that the programme, which Imd be.*ii prepared for the occasion, would pass off s rtisfaetorily ; and it is to the promoters of this concert, supported by those Indies and gentlemen who ho kindly and coneideratelv placed their services at the disposal of Mr Weiss, that we owe a most enj *yal»le evening, Everything had been done, and I am told that no pains were spur> d in the private reb-ars ils. to render the whole n success. Great however, was the general disappointment on the Friday, when the w-ather appeared to break up, and looked black and threatenin'? ; greater still, however, on the Saturday morning, when we w<-re regihd with a most miserable “ So*we ier.” Most of those who came from a distance and intended to be present had made some slight preparations over night, in order to make an

early start on the morrow ; but when shortly after breakfast we were notified by a wire that owing to the inclemency of the weather, the concert would be postponed, our spirits fell considerably below zero—horses en manse were turned out —aiul all tried to make the best of the disappointment. When however, at about m?d-dny a second wire informed us that the conceit would be held, our spirits rose again as quickly, nu-’er the double influence of re-assurance, and the prosper of brighter weather. Great indeed was the change, and it is surprising bow, under the circumstance, one can get ren ly in such a short space of time, for within an hour from the time of ilie receipt of the last telegram, almost all wen* on the road. The weather, though considerably

dull the whole day, passed off wit hoot any more rain, and from all quarters numbers seemed to arrive in excellent spirits, not however, I am happy to say. in such a manner as would lead on** to suppose by the aid of putting “ spirits down.’* Arrived at the schoolroom in the evening, which had undergone a considerable change both for convenience and comfort, I was most glad to find a full house, literally crammed, and when I say that I had the. pleasure of listening to a series of songs, duets, pianoforte pieces, &c M I think I am only reiterating the voire of the veiy many who were present. Everyone seemed to thoroughly appreciate the whole of the proceedings, and those few who did not condescend to depart from their general rule lost au evening’s amusement, which in these up-country places is not always procurable. Mr George Hunter having 1e *n unanimously voted to the chair, in a few brief, but well chosen remarks, opened the proceedings by stating tic* twofold object of the concert, and very generously refrained from enlarging at any v< rv great length, as in deference to the feelings of those who were present, ho would not detain them any longer from the amusement to follow. r would here take the liberty of suggesting the advisability of having printed programmes ; they cost very little, and can be turned to account financially, for it is to this fact 1 am unable to speak as I could wish of the opening overture by the Misses Price ; it was undoubtedly beautifully played, with that nicety of touch which gave one the impression of careful and imremittin >• study. lam sorry I cannot give tin* name of the piece. Mi«s Hutchinson in her usual style sang “ Kilbii n<*y,” and in response to a vociferously demanded encore “ Bonny Hills of Scotland,” both of which pieces were given with that trill pat lion so characteristic of that lady, the result being that she has fairly earned for herself a reputation ns an amateur, her equal in which it would he difficult to find in the district : I am however sorry to say that the act ompaiiiment to her songs was rather a disappointment. Mrs D. Hunter, and Mrs J. Prior*, favoured us with “ IJuntingtower," I>nt ! f! ink - • in.-t would have had more ellVci i. a m . i- voice had been introduced in place of one of those ladies. ** Ehren on the Rhine,” hy Mrs Simcox, received well merited applause, that lady accompanying herself. Mrs Weiss’s song,

*‘ The Vagabond,” was so well rendered that I fully expected an encore, but I am sorry to say the audieiuvr were evidently not of the same opinion as myself. “Thy Voice is Near,” by Miss Crosse, was very well sung; but if thar lady would endeavour to cultivate a little more firmness in her singing, it would ensure for her a certain success. With resp-ct to Miss Linton’s “ Kihleen Allannali,” [ cannot speak too highly, the concluding lines of each verse being sung in harmony, ami the soprano part sustained hy Miss Hutchinson. “ Rocked in the Ciadle of the Peep,” by the Rev Mr Simcox, was all that could he desired. Mr St. Hill’s three songs, “ When the lfionm is on the live,” “True to the Last,” and ‘‘The Arab’s Farewell to his Steed,” were indeed well sang, the especial sentiments peculiar to each song being sustained admirably : this last named song I have heard him sing before, but in no way to compare with the rendering of Saturday last. Each song was most enthusiastically encored, Mr St. Hill kindly obliging upon each occasion. This gentleman has undoubted control over bis voice, the compass of which being by no means a limited one ; a finished accompanment to each of. his three songs completed their success. Unfortunately with the overture to the second part of the programme, as with the former, I was unable to ascertain the name, but I think that the name of Miss Williams wiil he a sufficient guarantee for its success. I am sorry, indeed, that it is against custom to re-demand overture pieces, as the piece most assuredly was deserving of further recognition. “ Darby and Joan,” by Mrs J. Price, was not at all bad ; and tbe rendering of “ Blue Alsatian Mountains,” by Miss Linton, fully confirmed my former expectations of that lady’s vocal power. Miss Linton rings in her natural voice, and few are able to recognise or appreciate tbe fact as compared with the affected tones which some of our amateurs of the present day adopt. ** Many happy returns of the day, by Miss Crosse, was very well sung, and the pianoforte solo “ Silvery Waves,” bv Miss Price, was played exceedingly well. Mrs \V. Hunter’s “ Juanita, ” and Miss Hutchinson’s 44 Apart,” brought the original programme to a close, after whi< h the Chairman took the opportunity of informing the audieuce that the evening’s amusement was to be supplemented by the introduction of some extras, over und above the specified two shillings’ worth, which of course took immensely well : the extras being a concertina solo with variations, and ven-

triloquism, all of which passed off well, much to the delight oi the juvenile iiieml** rs.

At the close of the conceit, the Rev. Mr Simcox, in proposing a vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who he said had in most cases travelled a considerable distance and at some inconvenience, owing to the unsettled state of the weather, to assist in the programme, expressed a hope that if lie had unintentionally omitted to ask anyone to take part who would like to have done so, that they would overlook the omission, as, although the proceeds of the evening were to be devoted to u Charitable purpose, that of course being the main object in view, lie also wished it to be looked upon as a social re-union, the present concert being tlie first of a series which lie trusted would be behl periodically.

Looked at both from u musical and financial point of view, I have every confidence in saying that the concert was a decided success, and in conjunction with others, I can but express the nope that lids gathering will be but the commencement of a series of evenings’ amusement, which not only have for ther object the assisting of some charitable purpose, but are also instrumental in bringing together numbers who, but for this, would have no opportunity afforded them of partaking in those amusements and recreation which are so highly beneficial and necessary to the development of pure and healthy minds; softening as they undoubtedly do the harshness of our every day life. These musical evenings are highly to be commended .