MR. CLEMENT WRAGGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2607, 15 September 1909, Page 5

MR. CLEMENT WRAGGE.

IMPORTANT- OFFER TO NELSGN 9 MUSEUM.

□Pee Peebs Association.! NELSON, Sept. 14. Mr. Clement Wragge.. tlie . noted meteorologist, who intends to take up his residence in New Zealand, has made an important offer ix> the. trustees of the local museum. Mr. Wragge, in the course of a' letter to the secretary, states thht in the course of his travels, he has made collections of specimens in conchology, geology, and etlinograhpy, which are now housed in different parts of the world. Out of these he offers to add to the museum very considerably. The collection is to he lent to the town) for ten years, and at the end of that time, if it has been well oared for, and appreciated, he undertakes to present it to the town, on the condition that ho be life trustee 3 a/nd honorary curator, and his son after 'him, hie to classify and arrange the collection. Mr. Wragge also stated his intention of erecting an astronomical and meteorological observatory, running 'an independent weather service, and establishing a radium chamber. Thef letter wais referred, to the City Council. .

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

SECOND CONCERT OF THE SEASON.

The audience which filled l His Majesty’s Theatre last night had ample justification! for the applause, rising in well nigh every instance to encore pitch, with which they received the' programme submitted by the Gisborne Orchestal Society. That programme was a good one; and the rendition was, on the whole, worthy of it. There was, it was true, some room for criticism, but there would, in all probability, have been less had the performers had the advantage of a rehearsal in the Theatre'. That this was so was shown by the fact that there was a notable improvement in their playing after they had gone through the earlier numbers. They then, evidently, went to work with more confidence, and, consequently, played with greater precision, with enhanced attention to “light and shade,” and altogether gave a much more satisfactory account of themselves. Under the circumstances it was to the credit of all concerned that the first number, Gurlitt’s “Des Marionettes” (Op. 105), went as well as it did. The opening andante pastorale movement was given in pleasing and graceful fashion, and the succeeding allegretto grazioso was daintily and effectively played. The second orchestral number, Tschaikowsky’s “Valse des Fleurs” (Op. 71a), was the least successful item of the evening, though the rendering was not without its good points, The introduction was well given, and in the playing of the waltz proper there were several commendable features. It is almost needless to particularise, but mention may be made of the effective work of the horns. The audience were so well satisfied as to grant an encore. Tbo robust music of the “Ernani” selection was given in a manner not by any means unworthy of Verdi’s fine composition, and the number was, perhaps, the most popular one of the- programme. The work of the instrumentalists here was distinctly creditable. The “attack’ was good, and the rendering was marked by precision, spirit and expression. The 6olos for flute, clarionet, and cornet were well played, and the effective work of the piccolo materially brightened the rendition. The encore which followed the conclusion of the number was as hearty as it was well merited. There were, perhaps, these among the audience who were dubious as to the success of the attempt of the Society to render a Wagner number, but their doubts were, most probably, dispelled by the performance of the prelude to the third act of “Lohengrin.” The quaint music—for the time has long by when it was the fashion to deny the name of music to Wagner productions —was given with an artistic force and expressiveness deserving of the commendation which was accorded by the audience, who, whether they “understood” the number or not, insisted on a portion of it being repeated. The solo work by saxophone, ’cello, oboe, and flute, to say nothing of other instruments, was highly effective, and the whole performance decidedly creditable. “Light and shade” were well marked in the graceful and dainty rendering of Edward German’s delightful “Morris Dance,” wherein the charming counter-melody, given by the brass, produced ai most” pleasing effect. In striking contrast to this pretty and vivacious number, was Tschaikowsky’s “Chanson Triste” (“Song of Sadness’’) played artistically, with due_ “feeling.” The oboe was highly effective in this beautiful and pathetic number. Schubert’s “Marche Militaire,” the concluding orchestral item, was well and spiritedly played, its martial character being admirably expressed. Mr. M. L. Foster, to whom a large share of the credit for the success of the concert is due, acted as conductor with his usual ability, and the members of the orchestra were as follows: Ist violins —Mrs. H. Faram, Mrs. H. Humphries, Mr. E. M. Outhbert, Mr. J. Vita, Mr. A. Lang, Mr. A. Warnecke; 2nd violins—Miss M. Malcolm, Miss M. Neill, Miss P. Pilcher, Miss I. Sweet, Mr. A. Rhinesmith, Mr. J. ~Vita, Mr. R. F. Findlay, Mr. S. Oxenham; violas—Mr. J. Brown, Mr. F. B. Palairet, Mr. H. Solvander; ■cellos—Mrs. Jas. Chrisp, Mrs. M. L. Foster, Mr. J. Adair; contra basses — Mr. C. Adair, Mr. H. Andrew; flute— Mr. M. Vita, Mr. L. A. Sharland; piccolo—Mr. A. Don; clarinets —Mr. T. Barraelough, Mr. G. V. Strong; oboes —Mr. A. J. Strong, Mr. J. B. Young; bassoon —Mr. A. Morgan; saxophones —Mr. H. A. Barton, Mr. A. R. Don; comets —Mr. J. Chrisp, Mr. F. Pettie; French hornsr—Mr T. Williams, Mr. R. Oxenham; trombones —Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Faulkner, Mr. Dayman; harp—Mr. D. Vita; tyrapani—Mr. R. R. Baldrey; bass druum —Mr. W. Robertson; side drum, etc. —Mr. T. DonoThere was one instrumental solo item, Mr. Giovanni Vita’s violin solo, “Fantaisie Ballet’ 5 (deßeriot-Papiiu). It is understood that this young gentleman appeared last night for the first time as a soloist at a public concert, and he may well be congratulated on his success. Though somewhat nervous at first, lie played like an artist, with much taste and expression, and earned the recall with which he was honored. , The vocalists were Mrs. F. P. >\usoiL of Wellington, and Mr. J. W. Ryan, of Auckland, both- of whom scored a decided success. -Mrs. Milson possesses a light soprano voice, flexible and admirably trained, and she sings with the effectiveness of a true artist, Her first number, Verdi’s “Merco dilette Amice” (“Dear friends around me all smiling”), was charmingly sung, with justt appreciation of its varying shades of feeling. In response to a recall, Mrs. Wilson sang “Love’s Echo, a beautiful composition, well suited to her voice, and given with delightful effect. Ln the “Flower Song,” from Gounod’s “Faust,” she was even more successful, and sang the aria with much sweetness and feeling and the recitative with dramatic intensity of expression. The audience, as was only right, encored, and the lady gave, in. response, a delightful .rendition of Del Rcigo s “Happy Song.” Mr. Ryan is the possessor of a good, somewhat light voice, which lie well knows how to use. In singing his first song, Browning’s stirring cavalier ballad, “ICing Charles” (Maud Valerie White’s setting) lie admirably expressed the sentiment of the verses,, to the delight of the audience, who insisted on recalling him, whereupon he sang, in Capital style, with great appreciation of its whimsical humor, a song of entirely different character, Bullard s “Indifferent Manner. Mr. Ryan also sang “Private Donald,” Barratt’s spirited yet pathetic ballad ? n . a wounded Highland soldier. The singing of this was in every way admirable, and m response to an encore he gave an exoellonf vigorous rendering of Troteres to'soKSong, “My ffld Shako.” It would be scarcely possible to pfitfee too highly Mrs. M. L. Foster’s artistic and judicious playing of the pianoforte 1 accompaniments.

During the interval, Mr. M. L. Foster thanked the public for the support accorded to the Society, and announced that the members had decided to recognise the assistance rendered in the orchestra by several-, professional gentlemen, by tendering to them a complimentary concert on a date which would shortly be announced. The programme* would contain the best members from tlie two concerts given by the Society this season. The arrangements in the auditorium were exceedingly good, and reflected much credit on the capable secretary, Mr. J. Chrisp, and his staff of honorary ushers.