KAIHIKU SOIREE.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 135, 9 February 1877, Page 5

KAIHIKU SOIREE.

— — ■■■••■■.»■ ,■■.— , This concert and soiree came off as in-* tended on Friday last. The afternoon up to nearly sunset was one of our rainiest days ; it literally poured doAvn, yet not* withstanding the schoolroom Avas. filled Avithout crowding. All the young people of this district and a few of the old v/ere present. An excellent tea was served Up, with a good variety of cake, all manufactured in the plain. The Kaihiku tiSiiplo have not yet had many soirees, Mi in those they have had, they show, th|t in genteelness of taste, in order of serving, and in general conduct and bearing/they are second to no gathering on a like-occa-sion into Avhich you may enter*. ' { After due respect was paid to the eatables, Mr Waters took the chair, Avlien he called upon all to join in singing the hundredth psalm to its Avell-knoAvn tuno ; the choir led, and made good expression. Robt. Ayson Avas in his place and element as chief singer. The choir must have numbered twenty or more, nearly all of whom were Kaihikuian produce. There Avere some ten or twelve pieces of song and music on the programme, all of which Avere creditably rendered— not one Was a failure. The Rev. Mr Bannerman AA'as expected, but from weather and other causes, could not be present— but there is local talent iri Kailiiku. After two or three connected pieces from the choir, Mr A. D. Johnston Avas called on and made a feAv good remarks on " Methods and Hobbies of Education," characterising the present one hi Otago as by no means of high character, nor likely to result in much good, in that it reduced the teacher to the level of only one motive, that of getting his salary. Mr Moore, the teacher, made a speech, and also gave a very nice reading. , Mr John Johnston Avas also called on, who said he had just concluded a ride of about 40 miles, and of course was highly delighted at seeing such a turn-out as Avas present, and especially considering the great local rain. Others Avere called on, but the night being low far spent, deemed it prudent to withhold their speeches until another occasion. At the close a sackful of cocoa nuts were presented. Mr Waters had obtained them from the Dayspring Avhen in Dunedin. There was one for nearly every house. Mr Waters had written the name on each nut, and as the nuts were handed out the name was read, andfeach came forward to receive the wondrous product, and now every boy and girl in Kaihiku knoAv the outs and ins of a cocoa nut. This affair of the nuts was a rather amusing episode — as good as a speech. The Chairman intimated also that lie bad consigned to him a barrel of Neiv Hebrides arroAvroot— -the very pure stuff, made by Native hands— ♦ to be sold at a shilling a pound. The proceeds Avere to go^ to pay the cost of translating the Bible into the language of some of the islands. The article was Avell Avorth the money, and the money would help a deserving people. There were 2001bs to dispose of, and he hoped they would all like to receive a little, and Mr Crawford, Avho Avas present, Avould receive orders. A very excellent social evening Avas then brought to a close by singing the last tAvo verses of the second paraphrase. Previous to this last there Avere, of course, various votes of thanks, all of which were neatly and heartily conveyed to those intended.