CECILIAN CONCERT IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 3, 10 May 1889, Page 5

CECILIAN CONCERT IN DUNEDIN.

A very successful concert and entertainment was given on Friday evening in the Choral Hall, Dunedin, by the boys of the Christian Brothers' Schools. His Worship the Mayor, who presided, opened the proceedings by a brief speech, in which he testified to the nature of the improvements lately made in connection with the school, to defray the debi remaining due on which the entertainment was given. His Worship said lie had personally visited the school grounds, which wou d bear favourable comparison with any of those attached to the public schi ols in Dv edin He expressed his regret that the unfairness of withho ding Government aid from the Catholic schools still existed. In hit opinion all children should bn taught at school the religion which they were to profess and have f r their guide in life, and they could not be too well grounded and instructed in it. Public opinion was coming round to favour the Catholic claims, and he believed justice would ere long be done. He himself would always be found a friend of the schools, and ready to do anything that lay in his power to assist them. His Worship then called on the Rev. Brother Hughes to commence the programme.

The opening chorus was Mr. Bracken's anthem, "God Defend New Zealand," in which the Young Gecilians showed that they were, as usual, prepared to do full justice to the music entrusted to them. It went very smoothly and pleasingly, the expression, as well as tha harmony, being all that could be desired, Moore's " Believe me if all " was then sung, also in harmony, and very sweetly and prettily. A simultaneous recitation of Byron's " Vision of Baltassar " followed, the excellence of which it would be impossible to praise too highly. Not a word or syllable was misplaced or out of unison, and the distinctness and emphasis were perfect. The gesticulation also was most appropriate and made without a slip. The solo, " Scenes that are brightest," from Maritana, was afterwards sung by Master N. Mokmey, who gained the hearty applause of the audience. " Lochiel's Warning "aff >rded Masters F. Heley and E. Duffy an opportunity of displaying their powers as elocutionists, which they did with great spirit and intelligence. A scene from " William lell " also, in which the part of Gesler was taken by Master F. Murphy and that of Albert by Master D. Buckley, was especially deserving of praise. The chorasea, in addition to those already alluded to, sung by the Young Cecilians, were the " Minstrel Boy," the "Harp of Tara," and the ''Village Chorister," each of which in turn was admirably given — the skill and correctness with which the harmony was maintained being particularly notable. The part song " Don't fret," and the quartette, unaccompanied, " Fairy Land," were also very successful, as was" The Bell," a secoud quartette, given in response to an encore. A principal feature of the evening was the evolutions carried out by Professar David's gymnastic class. They consisted of dumb bell and wand exercises, respectively performed to music played by the Professor on the piano, and in the intervals of which the boys sang some original and appropria'e verses as they marched up and down the platform. They also recited simultaneously the well-known poem " Casabianca." The uniform of the gymnasts, consisting of a jersey, knickerbockers, and stockings, all of white with green trimmings and rosettes, was very pretty and tasteful, and aided much to the appearance of the scene. A jumping contest also took place, for a prize presented by Mrs. Loft, and occasioned high interest approaching even to excitement. It was kept up with great spirit for some time, the competitors all showing remarkable agility and neatness. The result was a victory for Master Frank Delaney, who, it was explained by Professor DavM, won especially by the neat manner in which he did his work — neatness as well a 9 height being the test. The height cleared was 4 feet .">{ inches, which, as the height to which Master Delaney himself has attpined is only 4 feet 7 inches, must be admitted to be comparatively very considerable, as it is absolutely very respectable. The comic element was introduced in a humorous description given by Mr J. Deaker of the sufferings of a bashful man, in which the speaker not only showed a thorough appreciation of the part undertaken by him, but a surprising power of memory. At the close of the evening a vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor was appropriately proposed by Mr J. B. Callan, and carried by acclamation, to which his Worship duly responded. The hall was thronged and tbe audience enjoyed themselves thoroughly, as was testified to by their frequent and enthusiastic applause. Indeed the manner in which the Christian Brothers are able to bring their boys before the public is a matter on which the Catholic community of Dunedin may well congratulate themselves, proving, as it does, so strikicgly and undeniably, the admirable education that their boys are obtaining in Catholic Schools.

The Christ ian Brothers desire us to return their sincere thanks to bis Worship tbe Mayor of Dunediu, Mr. Hugh Gourley, for presiding at the entertainment given by their pupils in the Choral Hall, on Friday last, the 3rd inst. ; to the parochial clergy for their presence and support ; to Mr. K. A. Dunne, and the members of the Catholic Literary Society, for so kindly undertaking the management of the hall ; to the former pupils who assisted in the quartettes and choruses, and to all, who, by their presence or by the sale of tickets, helped to make the affair co great a success. Special thanks are returned to Mrs. Haydon, of the Criteiion, for providing tea for the young athletes. The net results will be about £3G (thirty-six pounds).

The Emperor of Austria has issued peremptory orders that never again must his son's name be spoken in his hearing.

Perhaps the most interesting of all the signatures (says the Nation) to the national protest against Coercion will be that of Mrs. Drummond, widow of the great Irish Secretary, whose career Mr. Barry O'Brien has just described. Mrs. Drummon>l still appears in London society, and is a devoted adherent of t. c great policy of civilisation which her husband represented in his person and policy. She has a house at Hyde Park Gardens, at which Sir George Trevelyan i-* a frequent and welcome visitor, and her eldest daughter is Mrs. Joseph Kaye, widow of the author of " Free Trade in Land." In her drawing-room is a fine portrait of her late husband, the greatest, the most open-minded, and the most beloved of liish Secretaries,