Good Templars' Entertainment.

Hastings Standard, Issue 123, 17 September 1896, Page 2

Good Templars' Entertainment.

The concert given by the Star of Hope, 1.0.G.T in St. Matthew's Hall last evening was brilliantly successful. The house was packed, and the committee in charge were at their wits end to provide refreshments for such a throng of people. Owing to the presence of a sprinkling of the larrikin element the management had some difficulty in preserving order, but happily the evening went by without any serious disturbance to injure the prevailing harmony. Mr W. Adams (C.T.) presided, supported by the Rev. A. Morrison, M.A., and Messrs R. J. Roberts and J. McConnell. The meeting opened with a short address from the chair followed by a song from Miss Edith Rice (encored), after which Miss Gracie Wrigley rendered a piano solo in a manner which would do credit to a much older performer and had to respond to an imperious encore. Mr Harris recited the " Rum Manaic" with considerable power, and a quartette " The Social Glass," by the Misses R. Kings well and M. Henskie and Messrs Leggor and Bishop, was well received. Mr Adams contributed a recitation entitled " The Miser," in which he displayed a great deal of dramatic ability, and he was followed in a trio " Brooklet Flowers " by the Misses Kingswell and Matheson and Master A. Kingswell. This was looked upon as the gem of the evening. Mr Holroyd's song, " The Midshipmite," was rendered with that gentleman's usual vigor, after which, Misses Menzie (violin) and Stevens (piano) treated the audience to a duet, which received an encore. Mr Holroyd again favored the audience with a recitation, which was well given. At this juncture the Spit Fife and Drum Band, accompanied by a large number of the members of the Napier and Spit Lodges arrived, and were hartily welcomed. The Band played some sparkling airs, and Mr McConnell is to be congratulated on the success of his efforts in bringing his pupils to the high standard of proficiency they have attained. After refreshments were handed round and duly disposed of, the second part of the programme was opened with a well-chosen song by Miss McConnell (with flute obligato by Mr McConnell, senr.). The orchestra, composed of Mrs Faulknor (piano), Messrs Burrows (mandolin), Barrett (flute), King (violin), and Fowler (cornet) discoursed music at intervals, and were loudly applauded. A humorous reading, " The Bump of Degree," by Mr McConnell, greatly amused the audience. A piccolo duet "Light and Gay "by Sergeant Norman and Private McConnell was a feature of the evening, and argued careful training. A humorous dialogue entitled " Patrick v. Michael " was gone through by Messrs W. and S. Grahame, Park, Bishop, and ,H. Guthrie, and caused a great deal of fun. The Misses Kingswell and Henskie and Messrs Legger and Bishop sang a quartette in which their voices blended beautifully, and the entertainment closed with a negro extravagance "Look in a Book" which was entrusted to Messrs Webb and E. Rice, who fulfilled their parts admirably. The Spit Drum and Fife Band contributed selections throughout the night •which were performed in a most creditable manner. The band, which ia under the leadership of Mr J. McConnell of the Spit, is principally composed of youngsters up to about 14 years of age, and their musical proficiency, together with their neatness and faultless discipline, is a matter for congratulation. The committee desire to thank all those who helped to make the entertainment the undoubted success it was, and desire to say that this is but the first of a series of such entertainments. Mt Kingswell stated last evening that the Juvenile Temple will be open every evening at 7 o'clock, and that the members of the Spit Juvenile Temple accompanied by the Drum and Fife Band will parade the principal streets of Hastings on September I gQ, Mwg six.

A rumor states that Oscar Wilde, who was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in England last year, has been secretly liberated from prison and is now living in Melbourne. The Juvenile Depravity Bill has not been introduced a day too soon (says the Oamaru Mail), and it should certainly be passed into law without delay to save thoughtless young people from the ruin entailed by their own folly aided by the wicked machinations of older sinners. A recent issue of the Scotsman has the following:—" Sir Harry Johnston, K.C.8., H. M. Commissioner and Consul-General for British Central Africa, has awarded Messrs Hynde and Stark, coffee planters, Songani estate, B. C, A., a free grant of 200 acres of land for services rendered to H. M. Administration during the recent Kawinga war. Mr R. S. Hynde and Mr R. R. Stark both belong to Edinburgh.'" Mr Stark is a native of Greyruouth, New Zealand, where his father, the late A. P. Stark, was editor and one of the proprietors of the Grey River Argus. " Dorothy " is to be played by the New Plymouth Opera Club on the 23rd and 24th instant, and the Wanganui Society talks of staging the same opera, and also " Rip Van Winkle," at an early date. Some Auckland amateurs are arranging for a revival of " Princess Ida." The last named production should exactly suit the Hastings company after their promised success with " lolanthe."

Wellington warehouse prices are in every instance charged by the D. I. C. when executing orders received by post. Those of our residents who want really nice fashionable goods need not hesitate about communicating' with the D. I. C., Wellington. Complete furnishing is now a special feature of the D. I. C., and those who anticipate requirements in this direction will be supplied with catalogues and estimates post free.—Advt. Neil's Celebrated Liver Tonic, a pure botanic remedy for all affections of the liver, biliousness, jaundice, yellowness of the skin, indigestion, &c. In bottles, 2s and 2s 6d, at Neil's Botanic Dispensary, Emerson street, Napier, and all leading storekeepers.—Advt.