Farewell Gathering

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 41, 19 September 1889, Page 3

Farewell Gathering

The large attendance at the Assembly Booms on. Tuesday night must have been most gratifying to the" promoters and nothing could convey a stronger testimony of the good feeling the Rev. A. Hermon lias excited among the residents of the town . and district during his brief term of duty among .us as a clergyman of the Church of England. The proceedings "were opened by the orchestra, which played as an overture "La Debutante" in splendid style. In the second part they flayed the " Rosedale watzes" very tastefully. The performers were all well skilled on their, several instruments, and they certainly produced the best music we have yet heard in Peilding. Mr Dixon sang ; "The i Message from the King," "which was applauded. This was followed by ; a trip," Wild Sea Flowers," by Mrs Duncan and the Misses Bellve and Bray, which was a treat to listen to, as the voices harmonised very sweetly. Miss Bellve gave as a solo " Come buy my Flowers," "when this /universal favorite was deserv«dly applauded. This young lady also sang the duett "The Wind and the Harp" with Miss Bray, which was one of the gems of the evening. The choir sang Daughter of Eror" and the glee "Calm be thy Slumbers," and in each piece they certainly delighted the audience. The singers \ showed that great care had beentaken in the preparation as well as the practice of their several parts, and the success they achieved was not only creditable to themselves, but to Mrs Duncan, who had so effectually tutored them. Mr Lambert sang, "Love's Golden Dream," accompanied by Mrs Lambert, •with taste and feeling. The real gem of c vei^g_^as^Miflfi^^e^Brendering_of ~~~* c The "Harp that ohce~~tErougE~~Tara's Halls" on the violin, accompanied by Miss BeUairs. This was really a musical treat in every respect. Miss Bray sang " Don't Forget Me" very nicely and was the recipient of well deserved applause. The song " Imperfectus" by Mrs Macarthnr was unfortunately omitted owing to the indisposition of that lady from a cold, but ■which did not prevent her rendering valu- ' able assistance with her violin in t c orchestra. Mr F. Goodbehere gave " Anchored" in his usual pleasing style and was followed by Mrs Duncan who sang *'A Dream" in good style, with, at the same time, great taste and feeling. Messrs Haybittle, Eade and Bartholomew sang "' A Little Farm" so well that an encore ■was imperatively demanded, which had to be acceded to notwithstanding the rule had been made to the contrary. During :the interval abundance of comestibles in ;the shape of cakes, sandwiches, &c, with tea and coffee were handed round by the ,young ladies, which were done full justice io. The fragments which remained were /disposed of by Dutch auction by Mr "W. G. Haybittle^ and a handsome sum realised. At the conclusion of the performance,Mr .Bray, churchwarden, gave a short address in which he expressed his gratification at seeing so many present to say good bye to Mr Hermon, whom he hoped would have a pleasant voyage to the Qld Country and that when he returnedin twelve months time he would te a heartily, welcomed. The Rev. Mr Hermon in reply mad© feeling allusion to the welcome he had received when he . arrived two years ago, when all faces and voices were new to him, and the regret he felt at parting even for a short time with those whose faces and voices had now become familiar. He referred to the loss he had sustained since his arrival which had been such a severe blow to him as to make change and rest absolutely necessary to him, but he had every reason to hope that the trust he reposed in his Divine master TV'ould-be as amply justified in the future as it had in the past. He said he felt very lteenly the kindness of Mr Goodbeherd who, he was informed, although himself laid upon a bed of sickness, had suggested that -the present gathering should be held, lie was particularly grateful to those who, although not members of his church, had come to: share in the farewell gathering. He wouldalways think of them with feelings of the utmost pleasure, and would always be prepared to extend the right. hand of fellowship. The rev. gentleman concluded his address amid applause. Mr Sherwill then called for a vote o thanks to the performers, which was loudly responded to. . The National Anthem closed the proceedings. In concluding this short notice we. feel compelled to make special reference to Mrs Duncan, "who so admirably conducted the choir, and to Mr R. F. Haybittle, who performed the same office for the orchestra. There can be no question that to them must be accorded the chief meed of praise for the most admirable manner in which the programme was carried out