DUNEDIN IRISH RIFLES' CONCERT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 48, 21 March 1890, Page 15

DUNEDIN IRISH RIFLES' CONCERT.

A vbry successful and numerously-attended concert was given in the Garrison Hall, on Monday evening, by tbe Dunedin Irish Rifles, as a celebration on the part of their corps of St. Patrick's Day Among the audience present we noticed the Most Key. Dr. Moran • the Kevß. Fathers Lynch, Hunt, O'Donnell and O\Neil , Colone Jack, Major Callan, Captains Stout and Beal.and a large number of prominent citizens. The programme opened with selections from Balfe, performed very brilliantly by the Dunedin Garrison Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Wishart. The rest of the programme, with the exception of some comic recitations capitally given by Mr. W. F. Young, a quartette sung by pupils of the Dominican nuns and a flute solo well played by Mr. T. Deehan.consuited of vocal solos Miss Wuoldndge saug, in the arctic manner f.°Th WW RR C n Au 9 dlßtl ,?g>? ißhed > songs, " Kate O'Sbane » and "The Bella of Shandon," the second by no means one easy to give with proper expression. Miss Wooldndge, however, as was to be expected did m *c than justice to it, and gave a really fine rendering rhif^'^Rf fl BaD /'* it « pathoH ' <IThe Fi3b 'erman and his Child and lhe Chorister.' Miss Julia Knight, who well maintained the fame earned by her at Exbibiiion concerts, sang " O firm My Countiy"and"The Vale of Avoca," in both instances ba( particularly in the latter, acquitting herself admirably. Miss Mary Morrison sang, with charming sweetness, " Kathleen Mavouraeen '' and took part also in a quartette, Moore's » Though tbe Last Glimpse of Erin," with tbe MIBBeBM lBBeB M. and G. Howell, and K. Blaney the accompaniment being played on the harp by Miss A Lynch These young ladies, we may add, showed themselves worthy pupils' of the Dominican nuns, and performed their several parts to admiration fully deserving the encore accorded them. The gentlemen who sang were Mr. W. F. Young, whose sonorous bass was heard to great advantage m both the eougs given by him ; Mr. O. Umbers, whose singing of the 'Dtar Little tihamrock' was especially appreciated, and Mr. Densem, who brought down tne house and caused intense amusement by a most felicitous interpretation of (l Fa<her O'FJynn " The sii.ging, indeed, was in every respect most creditable to tnose who took part in it. The hall had been appropriately decorated for the occasion, and the arrangement of the platform especially was most tastef ul.

Mr Parnell (s»ys the New York Herald) has been for years Mrs O Shea's most intim.te friend, and for this friendship there are said to be moat cogent reasons. The story goes that a dozen years ago Parnell fell deeply in love with Captain O'Shea's younger sister who was a handsome, vivacious girl, and unusually intellectual. She responded gladly to her lover's affect it n and the two plighted troth and agreed to become one after some months of happy courtship had passed. The wedding day was almost at hand, when suddenly the young gin's health began to fail rapidly. The marriage was, of course, postponed, and everything possible waß done to restore tbe prospective bride's health. Soon, however, it became clear that she was doomed. Day by day she wasted away until finally the last hour of her young life came. Ttien, it is said, she whispered her last words to her lover, as he knelt heart-broken by her bedeide, nnd implored him by his great love for her to promise her then and there that he would ever protect and befriend her darling brother. Mr Parnell gave the required promise and soon afterward his sweetheart passed away. How Mr. Parne 1 has kept his promise all the world knows Through thick and thin, m the face of almost overwhelming opposition, he has stood by his dead sweetheart's brother, Captain O Shea, and when the Captain ma ried Bir Evelyn Wood's sibter Mr Parnell, still true to his promise, became her good friend also, and as time went on came to be regarded by her and her husband as one of their own family.