ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL, CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 592, 22 August 1873, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL, CLYDE.

On Wednesday evening last, in accordance with advertisement, the bellman paraded the town, and with stentorian voice announced that, at 8 o’clock, Mr. John P. Armstrong (late M.P.C.) would delivers lecture, in the Town Hall, on his travels in America, Australia, ami New Zealand; that in.the intervals between the lecture vocal and instrumental music would be discoursed, and the evening would wind up with the Assembly Ball. At about half-past 7, the Clyde Brass Band, numbering fn all twelve performers, in,front of the Hall, played some lively airs. By this time the Hall was well filled, and the Baud took their position in the orchestra and performed in a most masterly manner the opening overture. Mrs. Stevens followed with an overture on the pianoforte, (the Chimes) which was played most effectively. Mrs. Stevens is undoubtedly mistress of her instrument, and we hope on many other occasions to come, we may have the pleasure of hearing her. J. Hazlett, Esq., M.P.C., who had consented to take the Chair, here rose and introduced in a few words the subject matter of the Lecture and the Lecturer, Mr. J. P. Armstrong, who thereupon came forward and made his bow to the audience. The lecture opened in the year 1848, the time when the Lecturer migrated to America—he then traced his career through the States, interspersing the whole with anecdote, thus rendering the discourse atnusing and edifying. In the interval Mr E. de B Campbell, and Mrs. Stevens treated the assembly to a violin and pianoforte duct, (The murmur of the shell), and followed, in answer to most vociferous cheering and other signs of delight, with " Auld Robin Grey,” Mr. A. D. Harvey accompanying. Mr. Campbell, in many respects is a special favorite, and the applause accorded him when he stopped playing, was evidence that his musical talent is recognised and appreciated., Mr. Armstrong again came to the breach, and. after describing the sea voyage, landed his hearers in Melbourne in 1853—he then described his digging experience and his hair breadth escapes from the many pitfalls that in the early days of the Vi ;ti - rian Gold-fields beset the miner at his every move. He humorously described a jumping scene, where in defence of a diminutive son of Gaul he took his coat off, and having his arms to the shoulders, prepared to do battle with the jumper ; he however came off scatheless, as during the stripping, he said ho was afraid to fight, and in answer to the question, why ?he replied, the last man he had occasion to strike he had killed—the length of arm and height of body of our hero, backed by this confession, put an end to the difficulty at once’ and the Frenchman was reinstated in his claim, 8 feet by 8, the extent of ground allowed in those days. The time apportioned to the Lecturer having drawn to a close, he expressed his regret at having been unable to touch on his New Zealand career, which had been by no means an uneventful one. Mr. \V. L. Simpson, on behalf of the Hospital Committee returned thanks to Mr Armstrong for his Lecture in concise and appropriate terms. Mr. Armstrong {acknowledged the compliment, and afterwards returned, thanks to the Chairman. The room was now cleared for dancing, and about twenty couples indulged in the intricacies of the mazy dance till past 1 o’ clock, when the party broke up, all uniting in the one expression that a more enjoyable evening they had not spent for a long time. Before closing we must award due praise to the members of the Clyde Brass Band collectively and individually, for their pm--tion of the entertainment. The amount as near as can he arrived at, that will be' netted for the Hospital will be close ,hn 15/.