Foxton Mutual Improvement Society.

Manawatu Herald, 4 August 1898, Page 2

Foxton Mutual Improvement Society.

There was an unusually large attendance on Tuesday night in the Methodist Schoolroom. At the formal business one new member was elected. The real business of the night was a competition in singing and elocution. Separate classes for ladies and gentlemen were arranged in each part. The ladies came on the platform first, and the following ladies sang:— Misses McQueen, Saunders, Spring, and Simpson. The prize was awarded to Miss Simpson for the rendering of "Kate O'Shane." The gentlemen followed with an elocution contest, Messrs Alf. Morgan, E. Osborne, A. and N. Saunders, and T. Westwood. Mr T. Westwood secured the prize for the poem entitled " The Fireman's Wedding." The Misses L. Austin, E. Howan and A. Saunders competed tor an elocution prize, which was won by Miss L. Austin with " Beautiful Snow."

In the gentlemen's singing contest Messrs Betty, W. Howan, A. and N. Saunders, and T. Westwood took part. The judges declared a tie between

Messrs Betty and Westwood, and desired them to sing again when Mr Westwood sang " The Vicar of Bray " and Mr Betty " Tom Bowling." The prize was awarded to Mr Betty. Mesdames Woollass and Mitchell acted as judges in the singing contests, and the Rev. W. Woollass and Mr J. Banks in the elocution contests. Miss L. Osborne was the recipient of a special vote of thanks for accompaning the singers. The evening altogether was a most pleasant one, every item being heartily applaudad, and the decisions of the judges approved of. At the close it was announced that at the next meeting the debate would be "Is machinery beneficial to the masses." Also it was announced that a Lantern Entertainment would be given in the schoolroom on Friday evening.