ST PATRICK'S NIGHT, DUNEDIN, 1896.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 20 March 1896, Page 19

ST PATRICK'S NIGHT, DUNEDIN, 1896.

The annual concert to commemorate the festival of Ireland's patron saint was held in the Garrison Hall on Tuesday nigbt, and from every point of view proved eminently successful. The attendance may be regarded as a record one, the spacious building being so crowded that many were compelled to content themselves with standing ronm. The vocalists were all well and favourably known aid their t Sorts, in nianv instances, ar used the i>udience to a state of enthusiasm. Mr W. F. Young met with a particularly fluttering reception, and his two numbers, " The low-backed car," and " The memory of the dead," evoked encores that would admit of no denial. His added contributions were, " Off to Philadelphia," and " The wearin' of the green." The latter, instead of satisfying the audience, created a more impatient request for a repetition, and Mr Yoang therefore had to reappear and contribute further verses. Miss Kitty B aney, who was in excellent voice, sang Trotere's " Astbore," with such Bweet effect that she also was honoured with an encore, and in response " Coming from Kildare" was rendered, while she lecured a recall for her other number "Killarney so fair." "The Minstrel Boy," as sung by Mr BurnsWalker appeared to delight the audience in no ordinary degree. He made an ineffectual a'tempt to escape an encore but the aodienoa being persistent he sang '■ The harp that once." He &\aoper force repeated a portion of his other solo '' Aileen Allanah " which was sung with an invisible choru°. Mrs J. H. Coombs installed herself in the good graces of her auditors by her singing of "Goodbye Mavourneen," and "Knte O'Shane," and as an encore to the former saag " Sweet aud low," while Mr P. Carolin w^s honoured with a recall for his effctive rend ring of "She is far from the land." Misß Sophie Hall ga«e a brilliant interpreta'ion of Sivrai's pianoforte piece " L'lrlande," and the skill displayed by Misses 8. and N. Hall, N. Bcanlhn and S. Lawrence in the pianoforte quartette, " Concordaotia," afforded another s'.nk ng proof of the high standard of training imparted by the Nuns of the Dominican Co- vent. A small orohes ra played some capital selections while Mr Vallis played the accompaniments. At the cl se the Very Rev Father Lynch in a few" happi y chosen remarks thanked the vast audience for their patronage.