CONVERSAZIONE AND CONCERT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 47, 15 March 1889, Page 5

CONVERSAZIONE AND CONCERT.

( Wanganui Chronicle, February 28.) THE evening party in aid of the St. Mary's School was held last night. The attendance was, as is usual at these gatbeiings, very numerous, the large hall being almost too crowded. The airay cii' the eleven tea tables was most imposing, as all the donors did their utmost, and vied with each other in furnishing and arranging oi the many delicacies at their respective boards. The quality and quantity of the many good things provided were in every respect equal to the provision made at former gatherings of a like kind, and it was impossible to pick out any particular table for individual praise, as it was an instance of amore et labarc with one and all. Tlie bachdoih'

table waa, as is proper, placed at th • top of the room in the centre, ■o that the poor unfortunate unmarried men might be g ized upon by the surrounding beauties, of whom there was quite a galaxy, fha other tables were rangrd up and down the sides of the hall, No. 1 being to the left of the stage and No. 6 to the right, the others standing in rotation down the room towards the main entrance. Tea was placed ou the tables at 6 30 o'clock, and tne question arose as to whether there were enough m'ttings for those present. The crowd came pouring in, aud it was found that there would be about half-a-dozen relays at the tables. However, with patience tki work of feeding the hungry multitude was proceeded with immed.ately after grace had been said by the Very Rev. Father Kirk, and by about 8 o'clock everybody had been attended to. The following are the names of the several ladies who gave and attended the different tables:— No. 1. — The Misses LunJon (2), assisted by Misses Dickson, Marshall, and Jones. No. 2. — Mrs. aud Miss Wnitermn, assisted by Misses Neumann and Broad. No. 3.— Mrs. O'Hara and Mrs. Soler, assisted by Mra. Snow, Misses McKay, O'Hara, Lackett (2), and Ray. No. i — Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Demp9ey, Mrs. Provost, Mra. Brennan, and Mrs. Nix d. No. 5. — Misses Le^dun (2), Mrs. Hickey, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Hartnett, and Miss Hedderman. No. 6. — Mimes O'Leary (4). No. 7.— Th.3 Children cf Miry. No. B.— Mrs. McDuff, Mrs. Wixcey, Mrs. Clapham, Mrs. Douavan, and Mrs. Steadmau, assiste I by Misses Jackson, McMinn, Robertson, and Farrell. No. 9 —Mrs. Woolley, Mrs. Turntr, Mrs. Ctdaghan. Miss M. O'Hara, and MM r P. Cnbb. No. 10. — Mrs. Edward MeEiwain and Mrs. Purcell. No. 11 (Btche.ors' table). — Misses Connell, Dieksoo, MacMahon, and Dwyer, assisted by Misses (Jonroy, McCul lough, and Nicholas. The rext work was the important proceeding of clearing away the debris, and after that volunteers bad to be got to move the tables. This woik was gradually done, and seating accommodation for the concert was then provided. THE CONCERT. About 8.30 the band, which, by-the-by, had been discoursing music during tea time, made its appearance on the stage and played an overture, and opened the musical portion of the programme. The instrumentalists were all members of the d> f unct Garrison Band, who bad kindly proffered their services for the occasion. We need hardly say that their portion of the evening's entertainment vvas, as usual, excellently p o i formed, and when we noticed the splendid material with which it was [>< 8-iible to es.abli-ih a properlj-organise.l musical b> dv, we could not but help regretting the causes which have derived Wanganui of the old Garrison Band. Let us hope that (ffjrts will be m tde to recuscna'e the old band. Rut to resume. The ht. Mark's choir, under the conduetorship of Mr. Allen, appealed next, and rendered the time-tiououred part to ig, '"May Diy," in ttieir usual well-tiained Bt> le. Jhe oth r item rendend by the chuii was the part &ong, " Tbe Hardy Norsemen," in which they received great cissistance from the pupils of the Convent School, who at o>ved by their siugiag that the good Sisters, with the as-i-kance of Mr-. Lmyd, had spent a lot of time aud care on their mus-ical tra'nmg. The ConTeat pupils also a chorus, entitled •' Rnine Maidens," which they rendered excellently. Of the solos, which fell to the part of some ot the best local amateur talent, we caunot say too much. Mr. Cnbb, as usual, acquitted himself excel ently m the well-known song, "Anchored," acd was followed by Miss Ki'chen, who favoured the audience with the dear old song " Killarney," and nairowly escaped an encore. Tneduet by Mrs. Llojd and Mr. Ma lie from "II Trovatore " was, on the whole, well bu g, but the tenor part was a bit flit, which was probably caused by the heavy atmosphuie in the room acting upon a naturally delica'e voice like Mr. Maule's. Mrs. Meehao's "Kathleen Mavourneen " was, it is needless to say, well rendered, and enihusiaptically received. (She was followed by Mi^o Coakley, who hit the popular tas^e with the never-tiring song, ' Eileen Allanah,' for which the choir actid as an invisible chorus b hind the sec ien. Mrs. Llojd next appeared and sang " 'lbe Luver and the Bird," for which phc was well applauded. Tie duet, " Couvent Bells," between Misse9 Battle and Leys were excellently performed, their voices blending well, and making sweet harmony. Miss L. Kitchen was iv splendid vo cc, a.d rendered the bong '' The Bud of my Heart," in such a manntr as to obtain an encore, but to which she was unable to respond. We were nearly omitting ibe bit cf the evening, wbich was Mr. Rapiey's comic sons about "Tomkins,' for which he was forced to accede to an eno.'ie with "Little Biown Jug," which so fetched the audience that the singer had to appear a third time, and give "Hannah, ho*'s your Ma?" Tue Vdy Hey. Father Kirk then came on the &ta«e and addressed a few words to those present, tendering bis heartfelt thanks to all foi their kindness in cuming there that evening, and making the gathering the pplendid success tint it was. He desired sptcially \o thank those ladies who had so kindly given tables and provided th<> many good things thereon, mentioning at the same time th-it he bad never known them to fail him when invited to atbist in an entertainment ot this kind. The Very Rev. Father also tendered his thanks to the lady and gentlemen singeis who had so kindly given their heivioes and to the Band (or their excellent assistance. He alno exjues-ed his gratitude to tho^e who bad helped to prepare the hall and sold the tickets, and in conclusion he icterred to the I'iess (of which there weie two representa lvts present), which had done {.'re.it service in advertising the entertainment, aud so incited the public to come in large numbers to the gathering. The Prt ss, since bis umval in Wanganui, he said, had always been ready to help him in his undeitakings, and was ever ready to assist in making an enteitiinminr a success, by bringing it prominently befoie trie public. He desired again to expic-shia gratitude to all present for their kind C' -operation. Tbe programme was brought to a close by the coir h.nging the appropriate chorus ■' («ood Nig it ; Farewell, "and ( n>ie I an entertainment which can only be dc-cibed as an unqualified success.