SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4506, 30 August 1875, Page 7

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

An amateur dramatic entertainment, in aid of StrMary's Convent Schools, was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall on the night of the 17th. The performances consisted of a drama, " The High Treasurer of Florence," and an amusing farce, "The Careful Servant," and were eminently successful, the attendance being no less a matter for congratulation. The third anniversary of the Wesleyan Church, Adelaide-road, was commemorated by a tea and public meeting, which was held in the church on the evening of the 17th. A large number of persons sat down to the tea table, which was plentifully supplied with good things. After tea the meeting was addressed by.several gentlemen. The proceeds of the tickets sold, with contributions, amounted to £l7 155., but it was expected that some additional subscriptions would be received. The church was crowded, and the meeting passed off very agreeably. The Wellington Degree Temple was instituted in the Pioneer hxigeroom, Manners-street, on Wednesday, August 17th, by Bro. Johnston, D.D.W.G.C.T. The following officers were elected and : installed: —Bro. H. Budden, D. Templar; Bro. Wardrop, D.V.T.; Bro. Stohr, D. Secretary; Bro. Sinclair, D.F.S.; Bro. Webb, D. Treasurer ; Bro. Cooper, D.C.; Bro. Jones, D.M.; Bro. Boase, D.G.; Bro. Lanraent, D. Sentinel: Sister Bead, D.D.M.; Sister Sutherland, D.8.H.5.; Bro.Bobson, D.L.H.S. Five candidates were then initiated into the Degree of Fidelity. The annual ball of the Order of Odd .Fellows came off on the night of August 12th. About fifty couples were present, and the affair was a thoroughly enjoyable one. During the evening Mr. T. McKenzie, P.P.G.M., was presented with a very handsome and valuable silver tea service. The presentation was made on behalf of the president, vice-president, and members of the Widow and Orphans' Society, by P.P.G.M. John Smith, who said that Mr. McKenzie had been honorary secretary of the society for a period of 27 years, and during that time had performed his onerous duties in such a manner as constituted him absolutely themainstayof the society. Principally through his exertions, the fund hadnowreached£6s7l2s. Bd. It had been started with thirty original members in 1849, only three of whom were now left. There were now fifty members. During that time a very large sum had been expended on the objects of the fund; in fact, no claim made upon it had been refused. This success was mainly owing to the exertions of Mr. McKenzie. The contributions to the society were only one penny per week from members, and the additional funds had been raised from outside sources by the work of the secretary. The presentation was made accompanied by Odd Fellows' honors. Mr. McKenzie, in reply, thanked Mr. Smith for the spontaneous and handsome gift of which he had been the recipient. During the twenty-seven years that he had been hon. secretary for the society he had not looked for acknowledgment or reward, the satisfaction of relieving the widow and drying the orphan's tear had been to him more than compensation for any trouble he might have taken. The present unexpected manifestation of their kindness quite overpowered him, and he would keep their gift as an heirloom in his family, hoping that it would be an inducement to others to follow him, and they might meet the society with so satisfactory an acknowledgment of their services after 27 years. The service bears the inscription—" Presented to PJP.G.M McKenzie, by the President, Vice-President, and members of the Widow's and Orphans' Fund, for his services as honorary Secretary for the period of 27 years.—August 12th, 1875." After the presentation dancing was -recommenced, and continued with vigor until an advanced hour. The entertainment at the Primitive Methodist schoolroom, Sydney-street, on August 10th, was a great, success. The programme consisted of readings, recitations, and singing, and was carried out to the satisfaction of the audience, the lady and gentlemen amateurs acquitting themselves in a very excellent manner. The Eev. Mr. Ward, pastor of the church, occupied the chair. A meeting of the Past Grands of the Society of Odd Fellows, MIL, was held at their Hall on August sth, for the purpose of giving the Purple Lecture, and advancing the various past officers in their degrees. The chair was occupied by Provincial Grand Master Marshall, supported by the other district officers. After the conclusion of the Purple Lecture, a very handsomely framed Past Grand's certificate was presented to P.G. George Leggett, for his exertions in getting up a subscription for the widow and orphans of the late Brother Grimstone. In making the presentation to Brother Leggett, the speaker alluded in highly eulogistic terms to his meretorious service in the cause of humanity, and hoped that the recognition that had been taken of it would be an inducement for others to follow his good example. P.G. Leggett thanked the brothers for their kindness, and said that should another opportunity unfortunately occur, he would act in a similar manner. The Perseverance-tent (Eechabites) and the Star of Wellington (Good Templars) held a social tea meeting at the Church of England schoolroom, Sydney-street, on the 2nd August. After the tables were cleared several speakers urged upon the meeting the duty of all present to do all in their power to repress the crime of drunkenness, both by their example and precept. The Eev. Mr. Ward occupied the chair. A speaker informed the meeting that the Good Templars at the present time number about 5000 strong in New Zealand. The new Congregational Church Sunday school, Courtenay-place, Te Aro, wa3 opened on Sunday, August Ist. It may be stated that this school has been erected to supply a much needed want, inasmuch as up to the present time there has been no place of worship of any kind in this locality. . The Congregational body having conceived the idea of erecting the school, Mr. Burne offered very substantial assistance, for out of the £BOO or £9OO which the ground and site has cost, a sum of £7OO was very liberally contributed by that gentleman. The school, or more properly Bpeaking chapel, is very substantial and commodious, and fitted up inside with all necessary conveniences for carrying on the work. Yesterday was the day fixed for opening, and at 3. p.m. the chapel was crammed with intending Sunday-school scholars-and their friends. Mr. Joel Woodward conducted the service, and after several hymns had been sung and devotional exercises engaged in, Mr. Woodward delivered a short address to the children from Luke xix. 10 —"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which wa3 lost," —premising his remarks by stating the objects with which- the building had been erected, and specially referring to the fact that it was not desired to take children from other schools, or to draw adherents from other churches, but merely to provide for the spiritual interests of those who hitherto had not been able to attend Sunday-school or Divine service, owing _ to distance or from other causes. In the evening the Eev, W. H. West preached an excellent sermon to a large congregation. The musical portions of the service were rendered by the choir and children very nicely, and the successful opening of the school was very cheering to those who have undertaken the conduct of it. A tea meeting was held on the 3rd August in the new Congregational Church, Courtenayplace, to celebrate its opening. About 150 people sat down to a very good spread by Mr. Dixon. After tea the tables were removed, and a meeting was held, over which the Eev. Mr. West presided. Several very interesting addresses were delivered by ministers of other denominations and members of the congregation. During the evening the choir discoursed some excellent music. The annual masquerade and fancy dress ball was held on the evening of the 26th in the Odd

Fellows' Hall, and was a success in every point. The attendance was large, and the dresses something really worth seeing, not the ordinary vamped up or hired for the occasion costumes too frequently seen at such affairs, but richly made, elegant, and characteristic. Every one present seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and a most happy and agreeable evening was spent, for which those present have,surely to thank the committee of gentlemen, who must have had very great trouble in completing the admirable arrangements. A soiree tock place on the 24th at the Odd Fellows' Hall in connection with the Order of Eechabites, of which there are four tents in Wellington, and was highly successful. About 200 persons sat down to an excellent tea, after which the Eev. J. B. Eichardsonj of the Hutt, was unanimously voted to the chair. The rev. gentleman made a telling speech on the evils of intemperance, and gave a sketch of the objects and doings of the order. A series of entertaining songs and recitations were given during the evening, and the National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable evening's amusement. The proceeds of the entertainment will be devoted to the Widow and Orphan Fund. On the evening of the 20th St. Paul's Church choir gave a very pleasant entertainment in the Sydney-street schoolroom. The incumbent, the Eev. Mr. Harvey, occupied the chair, and a number of choice songs and recitations were given by different ladies and gentlemen. The entertainment was a decided success. On the night of the 23rd an instructive and pleasinglecturewasdeliveredatthePresbyterian Church schoolroom, by Sir John Eichardson, the subject being "Notes on China." The hon. gentleman commenced by remarking that Pharpahs quite as exacting as he who ordered the children of Israel to make bricks without allowing them straw existed at the present day. He had looked upon the Eev. Mr. Paterson as a very exacting Pharoah when he had demanded a lecture, but remembering the teaching he had received in early days, to "submit myself to my governors, teachers, spiritual pastors, and masters ; to order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters," he had felt bound to obey the task, though he had no " straw." The result, however, rather disproved the lecturer's modest assertion, for few more interesting lectures have ever been delivered in Wellington. The subject was handled so easily, the composition so racy yet elegant, the humor with which it abounded so happy and genuine, that the attention of the large audience was rivetted from first to last, and the driest details of history and manners and customs were rendered exceedingly attractive and interesting. The many eventful epochs in the national, social, and commercial history of the Celestial empire were brought out, and the lecturer also touched briefly upon the public works, instancing the Great Wall and canal as at once a monument of a people's perseverance and a people's folly. Progress, science, and art, mentioning the discovery of the magnet and the early introduction of the printing press were also touched upon ; the teachings of Confucius, the rise and progress of Buddhism, and the prevalence of idolatry; the various manners and customs, ranging from marriage and its ceremonies to crime and its punishments ; and the rapid strides made in commerce of late years. Speaking of the social condition 'of the empire, the lecturer said the great blot upon it, and the certain bar to national greatness, was the degraded position occupied by women. Women were the civilisers of humanity and the educators of posterity, and slightly altering the words of Goldsmith, he might say—--111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where man intrudes on woman's lawful sway. During the delivery of the lecture Sir John was repeatedly applauded, and at its conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison. The Eev Mr. Paterson then announced that the second lecture of the course would be delivered on Monday evening next, by the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, on "The Four Gospels," in which that gentleman would combat the sceptical objection which had been raised as to the authenticity of those books of Holy Writ, in a work called " Supernatural Eeligion."