SOIREE AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 4056, 25 February 1876, Page 2

SOIREE AT PORT CHALMERS.

A soiree was held last evening in the large new store of the N. Z. L. & M.A, Co., kindly lent by Mr Driver for the occasion, for tho purpose of introducing to tho members of Holy Trinity Church the Eev. Lorenzo Moore, who has undertaken the charge of tho parish during the absence of tho Eev. Mr Leeson, who will shortly proceed to England. It having been decided by tho Vestry that a social tea-meeting would serve the double purpose of bidding farewell to Mr Leeson and greeting his successor, a committee was formed of a number of ladies and gentlemen to carry out the necessary arrangements, which proved a decided success. The store was gaily decorated with bunting lent by ihe captains of tho various si.ips in harbour, and eight large tables ran down the comre of the building, and on them was placed an abundance of edibles. At tho toa tables lady members of the congregation presided, and they were assisted by a number of gentlemen. Nearly 400 persons must have sat down to tea, and by the 6.30 p.m. train from Dunedin, his Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese, the Eevs. Mes-rs Stanford and Oldham, and a number of ladies arrived. When the tables were cleared, his Lordship the Bishop took the chair, and on the platform we noticed the Eevs. W. N. Leeson, L. Moore, Stanford, Oldham, J. Maxwell, W. Johnstone, and F, W. Isitt. The Bishop addressed the meeting, and during his remarks reviewed the history of the Church at Port Chalmers from its format on up to the present time, alluding feelingly to tho contemplated departure of Hr J,-99011, and appreciating the goodness of Mr Moire, who had so Jsmdlv undertakes the charge of the parish during Mr Lesson’s absence, 'i'he opening chorus, “ Softly from the Mountains was sung by the memherg p| the choir j and during the evening

a number of trios, glees, duets, and bnllads wero sung by tho following ladies and gon* tlemenMesdamea J. Smith, Downes, M'Kiubon, Misses Jago, Lilly, Dench, Smith, Messrs Bolt, fleale, and Weir. Mr Morrish presided at the piano, and Captain Thatched, of the ship May viuaen, was master of the ceremonies. The m st v songs of the evening were “ A Wild flight by Mrs Downes, and the duet, "We will not forget thee,'* by Mrs Smith and Miss Jngo. The Kev. Mr Leeson addressed the meeting, expressing ltud °/i f< ?s W«adly actions diaPlayod towards him by the members of the Church tw o ™ l ? duriu Shis three years’ residence in £° rt Chalmers, and assured them his departure them was not by his own wish, but by circumstances over which he had no control; .and while iw m i e^ a ?^ utu W P eriod he had been with them he felt there had been omissions, but in leaving P a ri flh he tuew he was leaving it iu able hands, Mr f°2* d nerer re V aytte kindness of Mr Moore, who had bo generously come forward to tike charge of it during his absence. It was his intention to take leave of tho membeis of his Church in a farewell sermon in the course of a few weeks, and, in conclusion, he assured them that he would carry with him the fervent hope of return M. Le.son t on resuming his seat, was loudly cheered. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Keys. Messrs Moore, Stanford, and Oldham, and votes of thanks having been awarded to the speakers, singers, committee, and «dmiriui«ti the meeting was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. A special train at IL,3J p.m. took the Dunedin visitors to town.