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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 68, 5 June 1878, Page 2

A few weeks since we expressed surprise that Palmerston, although having amongst its residents a host; of musical talent, was so much behind other places in the matter of local concerts and entertainments. "We could" instance* many places of smaller porportions, and less importance than this town, which by the inauguration of cheap concerts are now in possession of large and spacious halls erected put of the profits arising from "such entertain, meats. "We can recollect when the* Penny Headings were first established in Melbourne, Ballarat, and other cities of Australia, and not only did their establishment result as we have said in providing funds for the erection ot -buildings, but they were the means of developing a deal of talent, both musical and dramatic. We have a clear recollection of hearing Miss Maggie. Liddle — who so lately charmed the Wellington Jpublic as a member of the Soldene Boiiffe Troupe — make her debut; and E. W. Gary, perhaps the finest baritone in New Zealand, sang hip first song in public, at a Penny Reading Concert; when secretary to the Temperance Hall, Melbourne, Tom Margeits, who now reigns supreme in his line, made his bow to an audience at the same place, and about the same j time j while Mr John Munro, one of

the most promising young actors the Colonies ever produced, first appeared at a Fenny Eeadings at Emerald Hill. A fortnight afterwards he was a member of the Theatre Royal Company, under the able management of-JBtirry Sullivan, and in three months he was playing " Horatio " to Sullivan's " Hamlet," and " Buckingham " to his " Richard." Like a great many others, his success was his ruin. Instead of having to mount the ladder round by round, he sprang to the topmost place in one bound ; the elevation made him dizzy,, and he fell, never to rise again. In the space of time in which others would have been thankful to have been allowed to carry a a banner, Munro was a star in tbe constellation — one which, burned with exceeding brilliancy for a short time, and then became dim for ever. Possessed of undoubted ability, he put no limit to its extent, and imogining himself with the genius of poor Brooke, he copied that great man's failing, and wrecked his life ere he had almost started on the voyage. There are a host of others whose names are now well known in the profession who owe their advent to the establishment of amateur entertainments. However, we do not wish it to be understood from the foregoing remarks that we advocate the initiation of local concerts and entertainments as a steppingstone to professional celebrity, but as a means of providing that enjoyment in which Falmerston is sadly deficient, and at the same time providing funds for whatever desirable object that may need assistance. Were a committee appointed, and arrangements made to hold monthly concerts, eay on the first Monday of each month, we feel convinced that ultimately they would prove a great success. Difficulties have to be encountered in all things at the outset, and although the patronage might not be; large at first, it would follow in the course of time. "We recollect when Saturday night concerts were first instituted in some of the provincial towns of Victoria, what difficulties beset the way, , and how they were carried on week after week at a loss; still further can we remember how the efforts of those who had started the' work were repaid beyond their most sanguine expectations, and as we have said in the commencement of this article, not only did they pay expenses, and yield a profitable return, but provided the means of building large and substantial halls. Have those concerts regular-r-no •. matter if they do not pay at first, be-not disappointed -^place the price*. of admission at a reasonable figure, keep them select, rigidly exclude ifoe objectionable element that patronises the gallery, ai£l we will be " bound to say that success will follow in the wake.