Dealing with the solos it may be said that Miss Spensley, who sang the only two soprano solos in the work, "Thou didst blow " and " Sing ye to the Lord," was not in voice. In neither was Miss Spensley heard to advantage. Mr Puschell sang the recitatives and the tenor solo, "The enemy said." The latter, for some in explicable reason was encored. Mr Puschell was manifestly overweighted, aud in the eolo referred to sung decidedly flat. Mrs Corrick had a little contralto solo in the first part, which was sung care fully, but it was evident that the music was not suited to her voice. Mr* C. M. Gray had the contralto solo, " Thou shalt bring them in," and she sang it with a good deal of care, though there was at times observable a want of power and melody in her voice. The difficult and try ing duet, " The Lord is a man of war," was essayed by Messrs M. Gardner and A_ Merton, but there was a lack of the boldness of declamation and power of voice 'which are necessary to give due effect to the number. The orchestra, under the leadership of Herr Bunz, rendered good service, and Mr Wells conducted with his usual ability. During the interval Mr Acland, the Presi dent of the Society, announced that the performance to-night would be for the benefit of their hardworking and pains taking conductor, Mr Wells. He also an nounced that arrangements had been entered into for a visit to Christchurch of the great English baritone, Mr Santley, who would take the part of the prophet in the oratorio of "Elijah." In order to render this a musical event worthy of the colony, theMotett Society hoped to receive the assistance of kindred Societies in Can terbury. As has been notified, tbe oratorio will be repeated this evening. j

NEW ZEALAND MIDLAND RAILWAY.
