THE GOOD TEMPLAR'S OPEN LODGE ENTERTAINMENT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 87, 18 May 1877, Page 2

THE GOOD TEMPLAR'S OPEN LODGE ENTERTAINMENT.

The invitation issued by the Good •Templars of Akaroa to an Open Lodge Entertainment on . Wednesday evsning last, was numerously responded to on the part of the uninitiated. The Oddfellow's Hall—by no means a suitable room for the holding of such entertainments —was crowded, every available seat being occupied. An attractive bill of fare was presented, and. as the public were invited guests, we intend to be less exacting in our criticism than were it of a more pretentious character. The entartainment was merely got up to pass away a social hour, and at the same time to bring the principles of the order more prominently before the notice of the public. In the present dearth of amusements in Akaroa, our Good Templar friends are to be congratulated upon for their efforts in providing an opportunity to those persons who have not the privilege of access to a social circle to break the monotony of a winter's evening. Bro. J. Bruce occupied the chair. Bro. J. Penlington opened the programme, by a reading, and at its conclusion, elicited the approbation of the audience, and was followed by Mr. Cork singing the " Dear Little A Shamrock," which was very fairly rendered.

The next item was a song by Mr. Kelly, which was also 1 well sustained. The announcement of a reading, by Mr. Black, was the signal for a little merriment. He read with "'great effect an amusing extract from Artemus Ward,-the eccentricities of the characters pourtrayed 'fairly brought down the house, during its recital. Bro. R. Newton followed with a recitation, but we have to take the same exception as on a previous-occasion to his mode of elocution and want of action. The next item was a song by Mr. Gutberlet, from whom an absolute encore was demanded. He responded- by singing the " Belle of the Ball." . Bro. Bruce's reading was defective in modulation and regard for punctuation. Mr. J. Checkley's song left considerable room for improvement, though it received the applause of the audience. Bro. Harlock's reading, entitled "Female Oratory," Was a little too hard upon the weaker sex, but it was read with good effect. Mr. Ginders next followed with a song, which was sung in too low a key. He appeared to be suifering slightly from nervousness. We have to take the same exception to Mr. Billen's reading as that of Mr. Bru'ce's,_it being read in too low a tone, and prosaic. Bro. T. Penlington next followed with a song. To vary the programme, Brd. Brusher gave a French song—the Marseillaise—the rendering of which met with the unanimous approbation of the audience, as he was called upon to repeat the last verse: The next was a reading by Mr. G. Black, from Artemus Ward, which was equally as successful as his previous efforts. Bro. Cork's song was tastefully rendered. A recitation—the Loss of the London— was effectively given by Mr. Berland, who has a fair conception of the art of reciting, and who gives promise of improvement. A reading by Bro. Harlock, and a song by Bro. Kelly, brought a most enjoyable evening's entertainment, to a close. The audience, after singing the National Anthom, dispersed.