Public Hall, Cambridge.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1360, 19 March 1881, Page 2

Public Hall, Cambridge.

A concert in aid of the funds of the Roman Catholic Church came off in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on the evening of Thursday. There was a full attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. P. Campbell, who, in a few introductory remarks, gave expression to the pleasure he felt at seeing so many members of other denominations assisting by their presence, the object for which the concert Avas given. He saw in this circumstance an indication that there was growing up a more liberal, a more Catholic spirit amongst the com* munity of this colony at any rate. If further proof were required, it was in the selection of himself, a member of a Protestant church, to fill the chair that evening. He apologised on behalf of the committee for any shortcomings which might be noticeable in the entertainment, several ladies and gentlemen who had promised their assistance being unavoidably absent. The Cambridge Band under the leadership of Mr C. D. Mackintosh, opened the proceedings with an overture, " The Cambridge Walzes," which was followed by a short but varied programme of vocal and literary selections in which the following ladies and gentlemen assisted : -Meadames Mudigan and Kerr, Miss Kilkenny, Messrs J. P. Campbell* Johnson, Pilling, and Smith. Mrs Brennan played the pianoforte accompanments to the songs in a very tasteful style. The songs were all well received, the only fault which the audience apparently found being that they were too few. The whole burden was, in fact, thrown upon three or four shoulders, and while thus it is to be regretted, it was perhaps unavoidable, though the committee certainly ought to have been better provided to meet a contingency such as that which arose. The entertainment concluded with the farce, "No. 1 Bound the Corner " by the members of the Cambridge Amateur Dramatic Society, the characters being sustained by Messrs Keesing, Jones, andSaunders. Although somewhat long this piece was productive of much amusement, and Mr Keesing deserves much credit for the manner in which he place! it on the boards. After the entertainment the seats were removed and dancing was forthwith commenced to tne music of the Cambridge Band.