Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), Saturday 7 July 1877, page 10


BRISBANE WATER.

GRAND CONCERT AT THE NEW SCHOOL ROOM AT

GOSFORD.

On Thursday evening, the 28th instant, an un-

usually successful, well-attended concert was given in the new Public school-room at West Gosford, in aid of an excursion and school feast for the children -intended to take place at the formal opening of the new buildings erected by the Council of Educ- tion for the Public school at that secluded but very

picturesque little township. This concert (got up under the auspices of the local board, assisted by three or four influential residents) came off, by con- sent of the contractor, in the handsome and spacious school-room of the new schoolhouse, which now adorns the west side of the Court-house Hill ; and it all passed off with great eclat, proving to be the most numerous, orderly, and joyous réunion ever known in Gosford. The attendance could not have been very far short of two hundred-all included. Many came into town from the country ; so that by the time that the room was lighted up, the vicinity of the school-house presented a gay and animated appearance. The public were admitted by tickets, cash payments

being sanctioned for juveniles only. The arrange-ments-which appeared to give satisfaction to all-were under the personal care of the committee:

consisting of Messrs, Edward Reeve, Charles C. Fagan, Irvine Coulter, Thomas Donlon, John Foun-tain, W. Coulter, E. Walmsley, and W. Aldrick. Mr. Fountain (of Woodlands) superintended the admis-sions ; Mr. James Henry kindly taking the tickets.

The ladies and gentlemen who gave their services at this concert were Mrs. May, Miss Margaret Reeve, Miss Nunn, Miss Teresa Reeve, Miss Coulter, Miss Osborne, and Miss Tottie Reeve; associated with whom were Mr. E. Reeve and Mr. S. Coulter, Mr. Reeve (the Police Magistrate and chairman of the local board), acted as conductor of the concert ; the programme selected being long, varied, and attrac-

tive. When the large west window of the school-room was first lighted up, the whole exterior of the building looked extremely well ; the rising moon shining through the woods behind it with a novel and pretty effect. The concert (consisting of two parts) began at 8 o'clock precisely, and lasted-through the encores-until half past ten. A handsome sum was realized for the object of the concert. At the com-mencement, the Police Magistrate addressed a few remarks to the audience.

Mr. Reeve said : " My Dear Friends,-The New Buildings, for the use of the Public school at Gos-ford, being now all but completed, the Local Board have naturally been very desirious that the inhabitants should, as early, as possible, have a convenient oppor-tunity of seeing the admirable school house erected for us by the liberality of the Government. It has been built for us-not before it was much wanted-as all must readily admit, who know under what grave disadvantages the education of our children has, for years past, been carried on in the old pre-mises, now about to be disused, as regards that special purpose. The good work of educating our children, so long, zealously, industriously, and effi-ciently, conducted by our friend Mrs. Honoria Coulter, will here be continued, with greater convenience, and (it is hoped) with yet greater

success. The members of the Board antici-pate that, in the course of a week, or ten days, the contractor will be in a position to hand over these buildings, perfectly finished, to the Council of Education, for our use and benefit; and they desire that the day when he can do this (so auspicious to our little community at Gosford) should be observed as a full holiday, with every mark of good fellowship and social enjoyment. We propose to see if we cannot get our member. Mr. J. A. Cunneen, and Mr. William Wilkins (the respected secretary to the Council of Education), together with perhaps even the Honor-able Professor J. Smith, C M.G., then to pay us a visit ; and to deliver speeches in this place, to as many as may come here to listen to them. On that same day, armed with the proceeds of this wellattended concert, the Board propose to give an ex-excursion and picnic to all the children of the Gos-ford Public School, whose names are to be found onthe muster Roll during the half year; taking the children across the upper portion of our beautiful lake to the site of Mr. Holden's residence, where they will be safe, in a suitable locality, and not too far away-so that their relatives may follow them, and make family picnics too, if they think proper. The children will be taken across and brought back under the personal care of the com-mittee, kindly assisted by Mrs. Coulter; the com-mittee consisting of the Board, with whom are associated, on the present occasion, three other influential résidents :-Mr. John Fountain, of " Woodlands," Mr. Edward Walmsley, of " Gosford

Park," and Mr. William Aldrick, of Erina. The children will have to be re urued to the Gosford Wharf at dusk, so as to obviate all confusion and

parental anxiety. In the evening some of the Board are going to have another popular entertainment in this room, so as to conclude the day with all due festivity. One word more and I have done. To ensure the success of this programme, we have been obliged to go into a Committee of Ways and Means, and our expedient for raising the necessary funds has been this concert, for which you are now

assembled-held here by the express consent

of the contractor, Mr. Robert Creighton. We could not have carried out our idea, with-out the kind assistance of the ladies and gentlemen who have volunteered to sing and per-form this evening. And as volunteers are always better than " pressed men," the hearty thanks of all will be due to them. Please to remember, then, that they are not only volunteers, but amateurs. Be kindly in your criticisms, making no interrup-tions or noises of any kind during any song or per-formance; and at the end either give or withhold your applause, "Tis not in mortals to command success,' but we will do our best to deserve it." (Cheers.)

The first part was commenced with the overture to the opera of " Tancredi," arranged for the piano-forte, which was very skilfully executed by Mrs. May, of East Cottage, and Miss Nunn, of Green Point. This having been received with well-deserved applause, Miss Margaret Reeve sang (with much feeling and expression) "The Last Rose of Summer," which was duly appreciated, the young lady being in good voice, and accompanying herself on this occasion and subsequently on the piano, a very fine instrument. Mr. Samuel Coulter, of Point Frederick, next played a set of quadrilles on the violin ; Mrs. May rendering the accompaniment on the pianoforte. This was a great success; and, being honored by an unmistakable encore, Mr. S. Coulter played a fantasie on " Home Sweet Home," to the great delight of his audience. A solo piano- forte came next ;-"The Golden Waves," an original Theme varie composed by Adolphe P. Wyman. This was brilliantly executed by Miss Teresa Reeve, and was received with loud applause. Miss Coulter then sang, very impressively, the song of " The Gipsy's Warning," and was lovely encored. Mrs. May and Miss Osborne (the youthful daughter of Mr. J A. Osborne, J.P. of " The Retreat," East Gosford) next played " The Gipsies' Quadrilles," arranged as a duett for the pianoforte. This item in the programme, by Mrs. May and her pupil, was a very pleasing one, and was received with every mark of approval from those present. Miss Tottie Reeve (aged seven years) then made her first appearance on the platform; and (meeting with an enthusiastic reception) she sang with much spirit and ability, the juvenile song of " I've a beau you must knew ;"-but sister, Miss

Teresa Reeve, on this occasion and subsequently, playing the accompaniment. Being loudly encored, " Miss Tottie" sang another juvenile song-" I like

to walk me out, &c."-which was applauded to the echo, and caused great amusement. The first part

was concluded by Mr. Reeve reading one of Mrs. Candle's Certain Lectures, thawing what sad trouble poor Caudle got into through lending the family umbrella. After an interval of ten minutes, the second part was commenced by Miss Teresa Reeve, who played, in a-very admirable manner, on the pianoforte, a descriptive war fantasia, entitled " The Siege of Paris," by M. Hobson. Miss Margaret Reeve then sang, delightfully, Claribel's pretty little song, "Maggie's 'Secret;" and being loudly encored, this young lady, (the eldest of the Police Magistrate's daughters) sang the patriotic song of " The Flower Girl," which made a very decided hit. A solo pianoforte by Mrs. May, " The Prince of Wales March," was then pre-sented, and received with well-merited approbation, after which Miss Coulter won fresh laurels by her rendering of " The Hazel Dell," a sweet little plain-tive song. Miss Fountain, a pupil taught by the

elder Miss Reeve, then played a gallop, " The Prince Imperial," and acquitted herself very creditably, although it was evident that towards the end she had become somewhat nervous. The two eldest daughters ot Mr. Reeve (Miss Margaret and Miss Teresa) next sang M. Hobson's serio-comic duett, "Very Suspicious," and elicited a triumphant encore. Returning to the piano, the sisters there-upon sang " The Gipsy Countess," with an equally decided success. Miss Teresa Reeve then sang, and accompanied herself, the song selected being the Americo- German song of " His Fader keeps a Brewery," so well known in Sydney through the talent of Miss Maggie Moore. It evoked a rap-turous encore, and the young lady had to sing again. Miss Tottie Reeve then reappeared on the platform, and sang (in character) The Toy Girl-" From Sweden Fair I've just arrived." This song having been distinguished by loud and long con-tinued applause, the little songstress sang the funny burlesque song of " Kaiser do you want to buy a dawg,' which was received with shouts of laughter from all present. Mr. Thomas Donlon, after a few congratulatory remarks, gave (in a very spirited and humorous style) a burlesque recitation in verse, show-ing " How Paddy was made a bear in France." This recitation was well received and provoked ringing shouts of merriment. The whole was brought to a close by the performance of the National Anthem.

Before the audience dispersed cheers were given for Mr. Reeve, and for Mr, Donlon; a similar com-pliment being also paid to Mr. Samuel Coulter, whose performance on the violin was one of the most attrac-tive features in this concert. The utmost order and

decorum prevailed throughout ; and as all parties left the building, congratulations were freely inter-changed. The Committee and the performers crossed over the hill to Mona Vale to supper, and there danced together through 'the small hours of the night ; but by eleven o'clock the streets of the town of Gosford were all restored once more to their won-ted quiet.