CONCERT AT TOKANUI.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1397, 26 May 1923, Page 5

CONCERT AT TOKANUI.

TE AWAMUTU ENTERTAIN EPS. PRESENT VERY ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. Last ‘ evening a large concert party from Te Awamutu. organised by Mr C. F. Battson, visited Tokanui Mental Hospital and entertained the patients and staff to a first class entertainment.: There was also a large attendance of residents of the district. Every item on the lengthy programme was heartily applauded, and in nearly every case recalls were demanded and acceded to. Following contributed items: Song, “The Captain’s Ditty.” and “ Casey the Fiddler,” Mr Salter; songs, “The Old Fashioned Town.” and “Sunshine and Rain,” Mrs Metcalf; monologues, selected and “Foolish Questions,’ Mr Taylor; songs, “Alice Blue Gown” and “Betty,” Ruby McCormack; song. “I Passed by Your Window,” Miss Martin: songs, selected and “Here’s to Love,” Mrs Bach; song. "For You Alone," Mr Donald; dance francaise, Misses Beatrice Montefiore, Kathleen McGovern and Dulcie Wright; Butterfly dance. Misses Arawa Wood, Erna Boys, and McGovern; recitation, selected', Miss Beatrice Montefiore; comic song. “I'm not as Young as I Used to lie,” Trevor Culley. Accompaniments were played by Mesdames T. I). Thomas and A. J. Tailby. At the conclusion of the programme a pleasant half hour was spent in community singing, in which everyone joined heartily. Supper was then handed round by the staff, after which Dr McPherson briefly expressed thanks. He firs! apologised for the unavoidable absence of Dr Gribben. Everyone, he said, would agree they owed a debt of gratitude lo Mr Battson and his party for coming out in such boisterous weather to brighten their lives in the “baekblocks.” and that the performance was a very good one. lie wished to specially mention the items contributed by the children. .They had heard that the performances given by the children in Te Awamutu recently were of a very high order, and although they had not seen the whole of those performers they had seen enough to realise the correctness ,of that contention. Fie wished to congratulate 'Mrs Bisii. who he was given to understand was responsible for their training, and by the manner iu which ilie children had performed they rellected a very careful tuition. In conclusion the speaker mentioned that some time ago they were told that if a stage was erected dramatic parties would visit the institution. Unfortunately lack of room had prevented this being done, hut he assured the audience a stage would lie erected in the near future, lie asked all to join in giving those taking part in the entertainment the thanks they deserved.

In reply Mr Battson said it was always a great pleasure to lake parties to the hospital, and there was never any difficulty in getting performers. On behalf of Mrs P.ish he thanked the doctor for his kind remarks, and assured them all that lady had spent much time in training the children to the high standard they had attained. He apologised for not having visited the hosplial earlier, but everyone had been busy with the carnival. On liehalf of the party he wished to thank the staff for the generous manner in which they had attended to their wants and hoped to pay another visit in the near future.

'l’lie party were transported by cars kindly lent by Messrs H. F.-Salter, A. Grieves. S. H. West. G.'Flail and M. Williams.