BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue IX, 29 August 1896, Page 278

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, August 18. The Choral Society held a SOCIAL MEETING last Tuesday, at which business connected with the Society was discussed. Refreshments—coffee, tea, and cakes, etc. —were provided, and several choruses and songs sung, so that altogether an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent. Mr J. Rose’s singing of • Margarita' was very much liked, especially when he repeated the last verse, as he sang it with infinitely more spirit and passion. His voice is a light, sweet tenor, but he generally sings in a colourless, passionless manner, which mars the effect of his beautiful voice. The matter under discussion was whether the Society would be likely to enjoy renewed life and membership if opera instead of cantata were taken up. Nothing definite was decided, the matter being left in the hands of the Committee, but the show of hands proved that only a few. it any, would leave if opera were taken up. Some do not like the drudgery entailed in committing to memory both words and music, but a worse thing is the expense, which is inevitable in anything of the sort. However, something must be done to stimulate the Society, as owing to the unpunctnality and want of intt rest of the men members, it is not in a flourishing state. Unfortunately, bass and tenor are essential to harmony—at least, I suppose they are. but yet I have heard of societies composed altogether of women, though I have never been fortunate enough to attend any of their meetings. Perhaps this may be a happy suggestion, that in event o the committee not being able to arrange matters satisfactorily, a woman's society should be started, and music harmonised for female voices procured. Miss Morna Fell (Picton) gave a euchre party to her little friends last Friday, at which they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Misses Rutherford intend giving a Cinderella dance in the Picton Hall on the 26th. The invitations are already out. Frida. [Please fold your letter instead of rolling it.—Bee.] Note. —The Hastings and Gisborne letters are unavoidably crowded out of this issue.