Concert at Kaikora.

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 1021, 11 December 1886, Page 2

Concert at Kaikora.

'I he concert in aid of the school funds, which was given in the Rcehahito llall b>st evening, was a groat success. The weather was all that could he d. sired, and tho moon was up. This brought out u swarm of country people, who, in traps or on horseback, literally took tho township l)) r storm. Tho hall was tilled to the doors, and it was a difficult matter to oven (ind standing room for the visitors. Tho children had been carefully trained, and went through (loir parts well. Tfiey seemed to take an interest in tho pro (‘Codings, and looked as if they wero enjoying themselves. Tho entertainment has provided a splendid fund for the purchase of prizes, £2l being the pecuniary results, out of which a few pounds only have to bo deducted for expenses. This is highly' satisfactory' and encouraging to tlu* bond-master, Mr Poppl CW oll. ami his staff.

The concert began with an overture on the piano, “ Highland (Jems” hv Mrs Jas. Tod, who played with great “taste, tlm slow movements being rendered with expression and the lively 11 ighland melodics with spirit. Then Mr Popploweli commenced playing on the piano, and the infant children tripped on to the ctngo to the time ol the music,ranging themselves capitally', and singing the action song, 4 Now wo are llappy ChMrcn.” The second and third standard girls followed with “ Under the Willow She’s Sleeping,” Iho Misses Amelia IVterse 11, Annie Clarke ind Jessie Mtillinder Inking the solo parts, Mid tho rost the chorus. “ Our Captain ” l»y tho upper standard boys was the next it* 111, and tho good time was very uoticc‘file. Then tho upper standard girls sang 4 What is Home without a Mother,” Miss’ Lmo Clark and Miss Wilson taking the nlo parts. “ Clap, Clap, Hurrah,” by the nfunt children, “The Mole and the Hat ” >y tho upper standard hoys, (Masters Jas. Clark, Hilbert Powell and W. IVttit taking tho solo parts), “The men •re so stupid,” by tho girls, and a hand oi:g by tho infant children, and two .-lionises by the upper standards, brought he the first part to a close, each item hoin<*rv fairly' rendered and r<*il *<-ting groat •redit 011 the touchers.

After a short ihterval, tho second part commenced, tho two little Misses Jane and A nnioClark playing “ Ring the bell watcliman, as a duet on the piano. For such diminutive play ers, the cxeeutb n was won- ?, crful - , Al 1; h ;l ''' ton sang tin b illnd “Oil Happy ho thy dreams,” in his usual tasteJul manner, and then Mr Harwood stopped on tho stage to give u reading. Mr IJarv ood prefaced his piece with a lew remarks congratulating Mr Popploweli on the fcue-

cess of his concert, and expressing his astonishment at tho wonderful progress of Kaikora, during tho past year or two. .de then read a very suitable piece, a poem, short, but powerful, and there was no item that was more enjoyable all tho evening. MrT. Y. Gallons snug “Ro in Adair,” tho fine, plaintive old song, and was well received. Miss Hoyle sang “To tho Woods,” and literally look tho audience by storm. They encored enthusing-th-ally, and tho singer gave the favorite “ Kilhirncy,” in response, it being tho general opinion that she nover sang it better on any' other occasion. Miss Thornton played ‘‘ The Muypole Dance” on tho piano, with capital execution and great taste, the lively theme, tho subsequent difficult variations, and the imposing finale all being done the fullest justico to. Miss Carlyle and Miss Hoyle then sang the beautiful duet “ List to tho Convent Bells,” ami wo need hardly' say' that this was a treat, and tho audience thought tho same, for they demanded an encore, which was responded to. Mr '1 horn ton read the famous

“ Father Phil’s subscription list # ” which is perhaps the finest and truest word picture of Irish character that has ever boon painted. Tho impetuosity of the Irish priest, and then tho discovery of his private generosity and kindness, and his attempts to prevent them from being known, and tho final roniurks that tho Irish are people who may he led by kindness hut not driven by force, were well brought out by tho reader, and tho audience gave him their attention from tho beginning to tho end. The piece is of special interest now, and one cannot hear it without wondering whether tho now rulers of the Irish people fully apprcciato all that is sai lin it.. Miss Carlyle sang “Somo Day” most tastefully, the song suiting her voice well, and Mr Popploweli brought the programme to a close with 44 The White Squall,” which was rather ambitious of him. lie acquitted himself well, however, and followed tho wide range ofuotcs with his lino flexible voice. Tho encore which resulted was responded to. Mrs Jas Tod played mo«t of tho accompaniments very “tastefully, Miss Carlyle taking the responsibility of ono or two of tilo.ll.

Thus ended a most successful concert, ami one that will long he remembered iu Kaikora.