RICCARTON PARISH FESTIVAL

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2569, 1 July 1882, Page 4

RICCARTON PARISH FESTIVAL

The annual commemoration of tho dc-di- | -cation oil the parish Church of St. Pete*'*, I Biocartan, was cjlebra'.cd on Thursday, St. I Peter's day, in the mariner which haa fox p long number of years been u?u.il to the occa. fiion, viz., by eariy and evening servioea io j the church, and e. pariah tea, followed by a concert, in the sohoolrocm. The comfort and enjoyment cf the gathering vras greatly enhanced by 'he lovely weather, which turned to frost in the cvoning, with bright moon overhead. The tea was hrld its the larjjo lOhoolrsom commuaieating by folding uteris with a good sizsd classroom, and with ths adjacent lobbies, a building admirably adapted for a festive meeting of tho tind. The tables were bountifully furnished ■by a number of lidks resident in the parish some of whom are amongst its oldest inhabitants, and have presided foi* many years over similar gatherings. Tbi evening servioe, at half-past six, artraoted a large congregation, who listened with marked attention to an interesting address by ilrohdeacon Harris, appropriate to tho day and the occasion, in which ho dwelt foreibly on the nature and growth of Oarisfcisn faith, as exemplified in tho life and character of St. Peter, and reminded his hearers of tho objeots and advantages to be gaiued by tho keeping of such paroohial festivals as that being celebrated en St. Peter's Day. The eorvioa was ohorsl, and tho music well led by *he ohcir, supported by the organ, played, as of old, by Mrs L. Harper. The anthem was trotn ]?salm oxlvii, 8—" Praise the Lard, O Jerusalem ; " musio by John Scott, a simple but effiiotiva composition. The prayers were intoned by the Incumbent, tho Rev. C. Bowen, and the lessons real by the Bevs. W. A. Pasooe and P. G- Brittan.

The concert was oommenoed purotually at eight o'olook. By this time an overflowing audience had assembled j the schoolroom and its approaches were closely packed, and many had to stand throughout tho evening. The programme was a varied one, sad contained, in addition to a number of sorga and etnor vocal avid instrumental pieces, two quartettes by Mendelssofcn.JieHghtfully sung without aeooEipa".;imsnt. Tae choir _ alsu tang several part-songs -In a very creditable manner, under the leadsrohip of Mr Wells, who hid kindly undertaken to train them for she ocjssion. Miw L. Taylor's performance on tho ooccer'i.j!» was listened to, as usual, with much plaature by the large uud_ attentive B.udiec-,-3. The accompaniments in this and several ether pieces were played by Mr Williamson, who was good enough to lend his grand piono for use during the evening. Before tho conclusion of the prooeadiugs by the singing of the National Anthem, the In--eumbent, on bsbalf of the audience, tha»ied those kind friends, especially those who had ■.rorne from a distance to contribute to ths sncoe&i of a very enjoyable gathering.