Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1896. Winter.

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1895, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1896. Winter.

It is no news to state that Winter is approaching, but owing to the want of timely warning last year, many things were left undone which might easily have been done to cheer the long evenings away, had earlier notice been taken of the fact- We do not desire to see so gloomy a time this coming season and" would therefore propose that a public meeting be called at which arrangements might be made to keep a series of entertainments afloat, the proceeds from which aright be devoted as agreed upon. Each particular interest might alio organise means whereby a cheerful Bvening, in pleasant company might be arranged for both sexes, young and old. We are all interested in the State Sohool, . it is an institution which _lwaya needs money and npon which money is always well laid out. From want of energy the concert which was to have come off to-night, fell through, and* we wait for the new Bleotion of Committeemen in the hope that in this respect there may be an improvement. The publio are in no way to blame, as they have always cordially supported all efforts made for this cause. Well, if we do get a little more energetic committee, a

series of concerts, separately, or in conjunction with a general scheme should be planned, at which music need not be everything. AH churches need money, and as the Church of England congregation have a very good choir, we see no reason why a sefies of musical items in the Church should not be arranged for once a fortnight, say admission free, with a collection. The other Churches might do likewise, and with profit. We are assured of this, that the ordinary person is fond of music, attd the making of music gives pleasure to the performer as well as the listener, so that there appears no pleasanter way of passing; a couple of hours in the winter*. Whatever is dotie must be done at A low elith'tfe*. &_ money id not so pl-titi-ul as it was. From past experience we have great faith in the snowball character of these cheap and frequent gatherings ro Be.u.iag mohey ih the end, and W6 therefore heartily recommend them; 'there ate other ways of giving pleasure beside. What We have drawti attention to, and it would be secured by , the co-operation of young men and lads who might form themselves into a Chess Club, at which various games might be played-, attd for wbibk but a small _üb-e_iptii__t Wbuld m heeded, if encouraged by those who value their young people having legitimate amusement. Thus, say a Chess Club waa foftfiea\ a rooffl-, light .and fire might be supposed .8 be Beedtd-^bttt tttily for one or two li---.ibg9 if the residents entered into the scheme. The idea we hold is that an invitation might be sent to the secretary of the club, for the members to attend at the house of the person inviting them, for theii? neiit Weekly meeting, and then the host and hostess might add music to the proceedings and, say, light refresh in ents. For the next weekly meeting aiiot-m*. mvi.ulkm might have been received and so on. The whole of these proposals are simple, practicable, and kindly, and we sbou'd do wisely to give them a trial.