A SOIREE AT PIGEON BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 83, 4 May 1877, Page 2

A SOIREE AT PIGEON BAY.

A kind of parish gathering, which took the form of a soiree, was held at Pigeon Bay, on the evening of Tuesday last. The tables were given by Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Hunt, Miss Kay, and Mrs Firmston, Mrs. Scott, and Mrs. McCloy. Bacherlors' table presided over by Miss Hay, and M'Kay. Grace being said, and the large gathering having fully satisfied the cravings of nature, the tables seemed still groaning under the weight of good things. The room being cleared and the seats rearranged, the Rev. D. 0. Hampton taking the chair, called upon the chair to sing " Stars of the morn so gloriously bright."

The Chairman, having expressed his regret at the absence of some gentlemen whom he expected to assist him, said that after all perhaps it was better to depend on ones self than to lean too much on others, as it often happened that in doing so we were disappointed. He then gave a report of the work done by him during the past year, as curate of the district, which clearly shewed that his office is no sinecure. The district is a wide and sparsely peopled one ; and from the report it appeared that the twelve months' work was 176 services, besides 24 administrations of Holy Communion, 39 baptisms, 19 churchings, 3 marriages, 3 burials, 727 parochial visits, 2870 miles travelled ; and that during the year the curate had but 45 clear days at his own lodgings, and that he had been 321 days engaged in active work in the district. The amount of monies collected for all purposes was £246 18s. 7d., of which £184 2s. Id. was for the stipend fund. This showed an increase of £50 j over last year.

Several pieces were recited during the evening, among which was one given by Mr. Robert Hay, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" with force and vigor, which reminded one of what England had done, and indicated what British valour would again do should they be dragged into the rising struggles of the present day. Mr. D. Pitcaithly gave " Edinburgh after Flodden," which spoke well for his former schoolmasters. Miss M'Kay gave a solo. " No cross no Crown," which was received with loud applause. The Rev. Chairman then gave part of a lecture on dreams, which was extremely interesting to your reporter, but seemed rather to soar above the audience. A trio " Low at thy feet" by three young ladies, called for an irresistible encore. The Chairman called upon any willing mind to address the audience, and in response Mr. Retemeyer stood up and expressed his astonishment at seeing their number and hearing what they had all done during the year, stating that though his own locality was a much larger and a more thickly populated district, they had the greatest difficulty in collecting a much smaller sum. Mr. Innis also addressed the meeting in an amusing way. The choir rendered several pieces in a pleasing way, the pity being the fewness of its members. On rising to propose the usual votes of thanks, the Rev. Chairman said that it was a pity that social gatherings of this kind could not be held oftener than they were, as they always tended to foster the spirit of charity and give width and depth to brotherly kindness. Whatever were our religious opinions, they ought to be based on intelligence rather than blind convictions ; and if we cannot go hand in hand in all these, we can at least go hand in hand as men and brothers. In meetings like this it was unfair to ask persons of all classes and creeds together, and then do the wanton injury of flaunting one's own red flag of special religious opinions unnecessarily in the face of all. Where people came to Church, it was quite another thing. There they must hear when occasion arises the Church's acceptance of the great truths of Christianity, and her Catholic interpretation of the revelations of God.

Votes of thanks were then carried with acclamation to those who had so liberally provided the abundant tea ; to those who presided ; to those who assisted in making the necessary pre-arrangements ; and to the bachelors for their anxiety and care that no flaw should occur ; to the Choir, and especially the choirmaster, Mr. T. Gates, for his assiduous perseverance in the face of difficulties to keep the congregational singing up; and -to the school committee for their repeated kindness in giving the use of the school. The choir then sang " There is a blessed Home," and the Chairman, pronouncing the blessing, brought to a close a most enjoyable evening.