ST. PATRICKS DAY AT BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 24 April 1885, Page 7

ST. PATRICKS DAY AT BLENHEIM.

(Marlborough Timet, March 18.) tSL S*S V*** in c ? nn^tion with the H.A.C.B. Society, which were held yesterday, passed off very satisfactorily. The members of the Society, to the number of about 60, assembled at tho schoolroom ?™ «, £ f* ' orm J n 8 two h y tw ° **W marched through the town, *°c President and the other officers leading. The procession was marshalled by Mr. O'Neill, and presented quite an attractive appearance, each member having donned the regalia of the Society They were accompanied by the Friendly Societief' Band, who^SyS several selections along the line of route.. After a halt in Market $o are ii he P"** 881011 matched to Mr. H. Jellyman'a paddock in Maxwell road, where the sports were held. The attendance during « ? JX !f p .°, rtl °* of the dft y was n <* ] Mge, but as the day wore oS J. fc __ was considerably augmented. Male adults to the number of iIL P^L^ B T' wh^ thel^ iea and chiMren free. Taking all things into consideration the Society are to^be congratulated on the success of their first gathering 7 « The concert given in Bwart's hall last evening, under the J?nTLl\° £ th « local . H -t' C : B - Soci «*y^a«the most sncfessfulof S ™1 ka< i Wll m thedißfcri <*- Owingto the great pressureonour KS^ffi* 6 rep ° rtft ° f the Bports and exceptionally large amount of telegrams, we are unfortunately precluded from publisbink a lengthy criticism of the efforts of the various performers. Although the late hour at which the sports concluded was calculated to dSZra number from attending until long after the opening hourrthehall iS? B S P * ycri^ e< l. a ii R < l nartepto eight, anY those who arrived J ate had to seek the kindly services of the obliging members of the H.A.C.B.S. to secure seats. Every endeavor was made to afford sitting room for a larger number of persons than the ball could comfortably accommodate, but everyone being in a good humour ST 7 dlßC ? m , forfc 9 willi °gly Pn* «P with, and xcorn was found for everybody. The concert was opened by an overture from the Oratorio " Bin' by the Blenhiem Siring Band. Tne playing of the Band thioughont the programme reflec ed the greatest credit upon them, and was an additional evidence of the care with which they have endeavoured to make it creditable to themselves The second item on the .programme was the part song "The meeting of the Watei-s," which was well rendered by the members of the cbofus. Mr. Leonard Redwood with " Hear the Wild Wind Blow " obtained the applause of the audience, although, to our mind, the song mi»ht have been more pleasingly rendered. Mr. Walshe, an entirely new fSJU™ ™ e , dl , 8t " ct » secured a great success in his character sketch Teddy OKouke's Letter." Mr. Walsbe, with the exception of one other gentleman m the district, is the only comic singer we have heard here with pleasure. Later in ihe evening he sang with equal IS?^'^J^an's Farewell," bringing down an* appreciative house. The solo "A Dream within a Dream," by Miw Walshe, waa thoroughly appreciated, as was her rendering of " Molly Ashore" in the second part, which was as well sung as we have ever heard it, the pleasing pathos of the music and words taking possession of the hearersand inducing them to give a most enthusiastic encore. Misi Walshes "Molly Asthore" was generally considered the genxof the evening Miss Mark gave '-The Irish Diamonds "as a pianoforte solo with good taste and expression. Messrs. Green and Gudgeon took the duet, "The Moon hath raised her lamp above," anfthe first part was brought to a conclusion by " The Midshipmite," which, although a well hackneyed song, in the hands of - Master HarryBed wood, was very popular. Mr. Vavasour was decidedly successful with his solo, " The Yeoman's Wedding Song." The trio,. "Our Evening Song," by Mrs. Ward and the Misses Redwood and Augustus formed a pleasing feature of the programme. Mi«s ClcarV was fairly successful with the song "Kate O'Shane," her detracting nervousness being excusable under the circumstances. Mr. Holmes was in his best form in his rendering of that ever attractive ballad • Eilleen Alannah,' and scored an enthusiastic encore. The interest token in the concert was largely due to the assistance of Mrs and Miss, Mark. In the first part of the programme Mra. Mark sane firm my Country " in excellent voice and with splendid execution. In a duet with Miss Mark « The Elfin Call " her voice blended very pleasingly with her daughter's. The finest duet of the evening was the " Two Cousins," by Misses Augustus and Marks, which was deservedly encored. " The Blind Girl to her Harp "by Mrs Mark was generally admired, whilst the concert was on all hands pronounced to have passed off with the utmost satisfaction We have to regret that the great disadvantage at which we were placed in having to put up with a seat at the extreme end of the Hall, pievented ua from giving that attention to tne proceedings we desired.