GOOD TEMPLARS PICNIC AND CONCERT, ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 820, 4 January 1878, Page 2

GOOD TEMPLARS PICNIC AND CONCERT, ALEXANDRA.

This, the second anniversary of Golden Stream Lodge, No. 113, Alexandra, took p'ace on Tuesday lact, New Year's Day, and w is a decided success. The day’s proceedings were commenced by the members of the Lodge and visitors marching in procession in regalia from the starting-place, tic Alexandra School house, to the scene of the day’s amusements. The pocession, headed hy nneof Sootia’ssnns playing on hi* national instrument, the bag-pipes, next in order coming the guards of the Lolgc, hearing with them a most magnificent banner, fallowed by the members of tho order in full regalia, tire visitors numbering in all, inc’uding children, full 400, bringing up the rear, formed a most striking se ne, and from the fact of no such a muster ever having taken place before in the neighborhood, o ie never fo be forgotten, (f take 'he liberty of here digressing by stating that tho banner was the production an 1 gift of Dr Fdtham, and as a work of art is bieh'y Creditable to that gentleman ) The. pro-ce-s-bn on arriving on theg-min l selected for the occasion and which is situated abtut half-a-mile from the township of Alexandra wis met by the Brass Band, which idayirg s me well-executed and lively music, !>d the procession round and round the ground, finally stopping in front of tho pavili n vv a a., to use an old an I Familiar phrase, w s oveiflowing with good things provided f r the de'ectation of young and old. Each now sought bis or her own Choice of compuy, an liach rheir separate mo le-of onj vment. The athlc'cs i dfibred in manly s.vnts of running, j imping, vaulting, kc ; the lads and lasses in kiss in the ring, ami j the like, —artless or heartless—games 1 ( vhich is the way to spell it.) Tiie age), those above such frivolities, quietly settled themselves into little paitiea, and while w felling the <njoymeti's of .heir ynnn.rrs, either 1 tight their battles ov. r a -aiti or indulged in idle rerrefs that their linn had p ssed for such fun. wide the small fry, what with munching Iqllisa and the stowing

wway of innumerable cakes, pasties, an I an occasional draught of lemonade or ginger beer they managed to pass their time Very j illily. About six o’clock a general tea was’ partaken of. This trouble having been got surmounted, and really -a lot of goad things were surmount# t, a move was made for home, the Brass Band heading the line of procession arrived at the Town-hall, three Voart ~ cheers we-e "ives and cl! •oimbt their homes to prepare for the evening’s treat, The Concert, which took place in the Town-hall, and commenced about half-past eight by the Band playing an overture. I must be ex cosed for not entering into detail, as whilst fearing my inability to do justice to the performers. 1 have still no desire to make it appear that any one gave greater satisfaction than another. For the first part every amg and recitation was encored, and most che irfudy responded to, nut for the second part, at the special request of the Committee of Management, the programme was carried through without an encore. Mrs Button kindly acted the part of accompanyist th rough out the lengthy programme, and in according her a special word of praise I feel ! sure I shall he excused, ,as to her assistance was mainly slue the success of tbs concert, Tne Brass Band also, collectively and indi vidnally. are worthy of special mention, as ♦hey both during the day and night manifested the keenest desire to add to the general amusement and comtort. After the ■c mcert the hall was cleared and those of the company who could find room enough engaged in the mazy waltz or stately quadrille for an hour or so, to the very pretty dance music of Mr J. Allen, violin, and Mr J. Simmnnds, harmonium. Though fearing 1 am outstretching the limit of your patience, Mr Editor, I cannot close without a reference to the ladies, who throughout the day were most active in their efforts to p’e.ise, and for which they deserve every th nks. They have mine, and I heartily and earnestly say God bless them.