SOIREE AT THE MUSIC HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 328, 27 January 1871, Page 2

SOIREE AT THE MUSIC HALL.

Last evening the annual soiree in connection with St. Paul's Sunday School was held at the Symonds-street Music Hall. Between two hundred and three hundred persons sat down to a very excellent tea at half-past six o'clock. There were no less than fourteen tables ranged down the room, and these were presided orer by the following ladies : Mrs. Whitaker, Miss Coafes, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Payne, Mrs, Lewis, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Dyson, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Fenton, Miss Lysnar, Miss Flower, Mrs. Brett, Mrs. Tassell, and Mrs. Watling. Besides being presided over, the tables were furnished by the above-mentioned ladies with great liberality, and to these great thanks are due, as well as to all of those who contributed in any way to the supply. _ Mr. Copland deserves special mention for kindly providing the crockery, tables, &c. The Rev. M. Nelson occupied the chair. — After tea, Mr. Hammond, Superintendent of the Sunday-school, read a statement of the progress of the school during the past year, from ■which it appeared that there was great cause for congi-atulation. The report was not formally seconded or adopted.—The musical portion of the evening was divided into two portions, and the only fault, if fault it were, was, that the entertainment was too prolonged. —Before coi_nmencing the second parr, the Rev. Mr. Xelsou came forward, and said that at a meeting of the Vestry, after the retirement of Mr. H. Lewis from the position of Churchwarden, it. was resolved that an address should be drawn up and presented to him on the first favorable opportunity. The present was considered a very fitting time. It was true the testimonial was not a very valuable one, but it was, at least, expressive of the good feeling entertained towards Mr. Lewis by his fellow parishioners, who were certainly under deep obligations to him. They must excuse Mr. Lewis from making any reply, on account of the state of his health, which did not allow of his speaking in public. Mr. Nelson then concluded his remarks amidst loud and prolonged applause. The following Js a copy of the address, which was \ery handsomely illuminated by Mr. Thos. Hall : — " Dear sir, —The minister aad parishioners of St. Paul's, Aucklaud, desire, on the occasion of your retirement from the office of chairman, to convey lo you the expression of the high esteem in which you are personally held by by them, and to place upon record their sense of the deep obligation they are under to you for the very valuable services rendered to the parish in discharge of the duties of a position which you have for a long period of nine years so ably and honorably Jilled. —Signed on behalf of all, Chas. M. Nelson, Incumbent St. Paul's, Auckland, Jauuary 20lh, 1871."— The musical portion of the pvogramme was then proceeded with. The following is the complete programme : —Overture, " Tancredi;" Tramp Chorus ; song, " You and I," Mr. Newbury ; trio, " Blow gentle gales," Mrs. Flower, Miss Coates, and Mr. Brett ; reading, by Rev. C. M. Nelson ; song, "Fisherman's Daughter," Madame Moller; part song, "Reineinbranee;" song, "England," composed for occasion by Mr. Livingstone ; overture, " Maseniello ;" duet, " Gipsey Countess," Miss Coates and Mr. Brett ; pianoforte solo; reading, by Mr. Tinne ; trio, " Mynheer Yon Dunck ;" comic song, Mr. Hampton; part song, " Sweet and low;" '• God Save the Queen." The whole .evening was very pleasantly passed, and as we said before, the only fault was that the peaformance was somewhat prolonged. We should not' omit to nieritiou that to Mr. Livingstone, who ably presided at the piano, much oj^the success of the performance was due, .jid to all those ladies and gentlemen who/so kindly gave their services, we have been requesle.l to convey the best thanks of those connected with the Sunday-school.