CHRISTMAS DAY AT SPRINGSTON.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2719, 27 December 1882, Page 3

CHRISTMAS DAY AT SPRINGSTON.

In this quiet village on Christmas Day the Excelsior Brass Band from Ashburton, fifteeen strong, arrived hy the early train, and set everybody on the qui vive. The occasion was the celebration of the seventeenth anniversary of the Wesleyan Church. Sermons in aid of the trust funds had been preached on the previous day by the Rev. J. S. Smalley and the Rev. J. Crewes to largo congregations. The programme for Christmas Bay included a flower show, gift auction, Christmas tree, tea meeting, and sacred concert. Luncheon was spread in the day school under the efficient superintendence of Messrs Davis, Keast, and Bravin. The flower show was well supported by exhibitors, Mr Morshead taking the prize for the best collection. Messrs Nairn and Mitehell acted as judges. The list of prizetakers will appear in a subsequent report. The Christmas tree was attended to by Miss Peryman, the Misses

Smart and Mrs Smalley, and well patronised. Mr Wilson disposed of the gifts for the auction at satisfactory prices. An adjournment was then made to the tea meeting, where the Misses Lawry, Muir, Wills, and Morshead, and Mesdaines Wills, Crump, Muir, Jebson, and Cotton, witb Mr Tumner at the bachelor's tray, were prepared to receive the company. The resources of the fair caterers were taxed to the utmost, but stood the strain successfully, and their efforts were rewarded by .£2B 15s. Mrs Smalley, Mrs Kime, Mrs Mutton, Mrs W. Wright, Mrs Davis, Mrs Morrish, and Mrs Armstrong contributed money instead of trays. At the concert in the evening the Rev. J. S. Smalley presided, and called upon the treasurer, Mr Lawry, to read the report, which showed a balance in hand of .£l9, which the trustees proposed to hand over to the circuit fund. Mr Peryman, circuit steward, also made a financial statement, showing that nearly .£7O had been taken in connection with the anniversary. Addresses of an interesting character were given by Kevs. W. Keall, J. Crewes, and Mr Peryman, jun. Anthems were nicely rendered by the choir of the church, and solos by Mrs Goldsmith and Miss Smart. Both ladies have rich musical voices, and their singing was extremely good. The selections included " Had I Jubal's lyre," " Thou didst not leave his soul in hell," " Forsake me not," "He wipes the tear from every eye," and " The better land." The last, sung by Miss Smart, was the gem of the evening, eliciting an encore, which was not responded to. Mr Gates presided with his usual efficiency at the harmonium. With the National Anthem by the brass band was concluded the most successful anniversary held by the Wesleyans in Springston.