Concert and Presentation at Birmingham.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 296, 19 June 1895, Page 2

Concert and Presentation at Birmingham.

A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Birmingham Town Hall last evening, when occasion was taken by the trustee? of the Wesleyan Church to present Mr Thomas Lowes, who has retired from business, with an illuminated address. Mr L >wes has been connected with the Church , there as trustee for the past five years, ■ aud his fellow trustees arranged a j concert and presentation to him as a mark of their appreciation for the va' liable aid he and his family had rendered tho Church. i\otwithstanding the fact that tho weather was exceptionally wet and cold between fifty and sixty ladies and gentlemen, mostly settlers in the district with several from Foilding, attended the conceit, at which Mr T. A. Bryce presided. A musical programme was gone through as follows : — A pianofoite solo by IWrs Tompkins, who also opened the second part of the programme with an overture ; Mrs Lundius sang 'Yes, sir," "Tit for tat,-' ancl " In our wherry," in a very able niauner, with a pleasing expression, and being encored for the second item sang " Why are you wandering here I pray ;" Mrs A. Mcßeth sang, " When we meet " aud " Only once mo. c," the latter beiag particularly well rendered ; Miss Laiug's song, '• 1 wis dreaminy," was also well sing aud deservedly applauded ; Mas!er L. Mcßeth, quite a little youngster, displayed talent in the sougs " Wages " aud "In the old Kent Koad," being encored for the latter. The gem of the evening was th9duet " Golden love," by Mesdames Howie and Fowler ; Mr W. Barlow 6ang " Skipper's flag," and in response to an encore gave *« The Army;" Mrs Howie's song " Silver Bhine," was very pretty . The accompaniments were played by Mesdames Fowler, Tompkins, Lundius, and A. Mcßeth. Duiing the evening Mr Bryce, on behalf of the trustees, made the pre sentation of the address to Mr Lowes, and in his introductory remarks said those present were there to shew the esteem in which thoy held Mr and I Mrs Lowes and their family, of whom tbe settlers in tbe d. strict held a very high opiuion. He regretted the weather was so i_clem ent or there would bave been a very large attendance there that evenin.2. Mr Lowes had always been at the head of every movement for the ad vancement of the district, and his loss would be felt to a great extent. He had a fitting helpmate in Mrs Lowei, and those in their timo of need who had gone co her for assistance did not go away without receiving it. They had helped on the Church, and if a tithe of the members of churches in other districts would render the same assistance to their church as Mr Lowes had to lis, they would be better off. Since Mr Lowes' projected departure was made public there had been a universal expre? sion of regiet, ani tbey all] hopod he would return and live lor many years amongst them. He then read the address, which was worded as follows : " Presented. — As Mr Thos. Lowes, of Birmingham, is retiring from business and leaving our midst, we, the minister and trustees of the Wesleyan Church, wish to place on record our sincere regret and loss at his departure. Mr Lowes has been resident here for the past seven yearSi The Church has been most liberally supported by Mr Lowes, and for the past five years that gentleman has been associated with us as a trustee. By his genial and accommodating disposition be has won a large circle of trusted friends, who regret his departure. We join in wishing Mr and Mrs Lowes God's speed aud all the blessings of a long and happy life. — We remain, with sincere esteem, yours most respectfully, (signed) Rev. T. B. Richards, George Anyon, R. Burne, E. Palmer, F. S. Guy, J. P. Leary, J. Grace." Mr Lowes, in a few well-chosen words, thanked the trustees for the gift and for their complimentary remarks. The handsome present just made through the chairman would ever be kept by him to refresh his memory of his friends and fellow-workers. Although he might be tar from their midst, liis goodwill would ever remain wedded to them. He thanked the trustees and those present for their hearty good wishes to Mrs Lowes and himself. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr Anyon thanked the singers, on behalf of the trustees, for their assistance, and the gathering dispersed after sing--1 ing " For they are jolly good fellows " and giving three cheers for Mr and Mrs Lowes.