SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4530, 27 September 1875, Page 3

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

The members of the Opposition entertained their leader, Sir G. Grey, at dinner on Monday, 20th i. st. There were 25 present, and Mr. Fitzherbert, C.M.G., took the chair, Sir George Grey being on his right, and Mr. Macandrew on his left. Mr. Rolleston acted as vice-chairman. After the usual loyal toasts had heen honored, " The Health of Sir George Grey" was proposed by the chairman in an eloquent speech, in whicli he reviewed the many valuable services their distinguished guest had rendered to New Zealand. Sir George Grey, in replying, stated that his action and that of his party arose simply from a desire to promote the welfare of New Zealand. Mr. Macandrew proposed "The Colony of New Zealand," coupled with the name of Mr. George Hunter, the oldest colonist in the room. Mr. Hunter acknowledged the compliment in suitable terms. Mr. Rolleston and Mr. Fitzherbert spoke to the toast, and the company separated at 11.30 p.m.

The Hon. Sir J. L. C. Richardson redelivered his interesting lecture on "China" on the evening of the 6th instant, in aid of the St. Paul's Church organ fund, at the Sydney-street schoolroom. The Kev. B. W. Harvey occupied the chair. The lecturer sketched briefly the vast accessions that had been made to the literature of travel and exploration during the past decade. Commercial and scientific men had brought all their knowledge to bear in describing the various countries, and the manners and customs of the inhabitants that had come under their observation, and presented interesting accounts of these subjects in the history of their travels. So great was the demand forworks on these and cognate subjects that on the eve of a war special correspondents were sent out to furnish for the newspapers full particulars not only of the warfare but also other information as to the various localities in which the strife took place. The lecturerthenpointed out the contrast between the Britain of ancient times, the inhabitants of which were in a state of barbarism, while at the period referred to the inhabitants of China were as civilised as they are at the present day. In the one case we have the history,of a progressive and still progressing civilisation, while in the case of China we have a remarkable instance of a certain state of civilisation being attained, and remaining for hundreds of years down to the present time in a state of fixity. The lecturer then commenced the redelivery of his lecture, which was listened to with marked attention. There was a very good attendance, and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to the lecturer. The first annual meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held in St. John's Bchoolroom on the evening of the 7th, forthe purpose of receiving the reports of the secretary and treasurer, and for the election of officers for the ensuing six months. The Rev. Mr. Paterson occupied the chair. The Secretary read his report, showing that at the first meeting of the society a year since, forty-one members were enrolled, while at the present time there were sixty-five members, and with every prospect of the number increasing. Through the kindness of the committee of St. John's Uhurcb the society had been allowed the free use of the schoolroom and lighting. It was intended as some return for this kindness to give an entertainment, the proceeds of which would be handed over to the church. An entertainment had been given during the past yeir in aid of the library fund which had been highly satisfactory, for after paying all expenses there remained a net balance of £6. The report concluded with regrets that some of the members had not been so regular in their attendance as could have been desired. The treasurer's report showed a net credit balance of £24175. 9d. The following officer-bearers for the ensuing six months were elected : President —T. Kennedy Macdonald. Vice-Presidents Messrs. A. Farmer, A. Murray, W. Hopkirk. Committee—Rev. Jas. Pateraon, Messrs. T. McKenzie, W. H. Renner, J. Mitchell, GAllport. Secretary—T. Kirker. Treasurer— G. Macdonald. The Rev. Mr. Paterson then read a very interesting sketch of a tour through Switzerland. A cordial vote of thanks to the rev. gentleman brought the meeting to a close. A service of sacred song in illustration of Bunyan's noble allegory the " Holy War," was given on the Bth inst. at the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners-street. The selections were sung by the school children and the choir, and were rendered with spirit and taste. The only tiling marring the generally good effect of the singing was a certain reediness of tone. A little more harmony will, however, soon eradicate this defect. The singing was interspersed with readings from the " Holy War," by the Rev. W. Morley. The chapel was filled with members of the congregation and their friends, and the service was found to be both instructive and entertaining. A collection was made in aid of the funds of the school.

The Ven. Archdeacon Stock delivered a most interesting lecture on the " Four Gospels" on August 30th at the St. John's Presbyterian schoolroom. The Rev. Mr. Paterson occupied the chair. The ven. lecturer quoted largely from the ancient writers of the Church, and, amongst others, from the writings of Justin Martyr and Irenius, to show that an appeal was made in all ca*es of disputed doctrine to the Four Gospels by all sections of the Christian Church, while the authenticity of the Gospels themselves was very rarely called in question. The Gno tics and other heretics appealed to these Gospels in support of their peculiar views. He then showed that whatever verbal deviations might exist in the various Greek and other texts of the Gospels, the general meaning as a who'e remained unaltered. With regard to the objection that had been raised against the authenticity of the Four Gospels that they were not written prior to the second century, and would be liable to be objeeted to as affording merely hearsay evidence of the facts narrated by them it was worthy of note that the writers of that period refer to them as having a prior existence, and quote largely from them. Under these circumstances, it appeared incredible that in the second century they should have been the common ultimate appeal of the whole Christian Church. The lecturer then reviewed some of the objections raised against the Gospel miracles, among which he named the common one of these being natural impossibilities, and showed thatsofarfrom Nature beingunohanging it is constantly evolving changes, as geology and the phenomena of animal and vegetable life abundantly proved. A vote of thanks to the venerable lecturer closed the evening.

The Church of England diocesan bazaar was on the 31st August opened by the Governor. His Excellency was accompanied by the Marchioness of Nonnanby, and was received at the entrance by Bishop Hadfield, Archdeacon Stook, and the leading clergy of Wellington. The National Authem having been sung, the Governor formally declared the bazaar to be open. The ladies' committee having enlisted numerous auxilleries amongst their friends, have been busily engaged for many weeks past in furnishing the wondrous _ fabrics, which are now presented for the admiration of the numerous visitors. The disposition of the various stalls was as follows :—The first on the right of the entrance is presided over by Mrs. Quick, assisted by the Misses Batkin and Shultze. Fancy goods, china and parianware have been selected for this stall. The next; on the right is presided over by Mrs. Hadfield, assisted by Mrs. Williams and tho Misses Hadfield. On this stall one is pleased with an endless variety of fancy goods, miniature baskets, articles in Berlin wool, slippers, couch blankets, the patterns of these last being in so-ne instances composed of broad stripes in crome yellow, dark red, mauve, and other colors with an amber stripe as the division between each band of color. A lady's chair, with footstool to match, has a covering of a rich claret-colored baokground, with scarlet rose leaves and flowars worked in Berlin wool, which has a very rich appearance. There is also at this stall a fancy table, tho top being covered with fine scarlet-colored cloth. Kouud tho edge of tho table are hummingbirds, butterflies, andmo3s roses, beautifully worked in colored silks. The next stall is under the presidency of Mrs. Bell, assisted by Miss Beetham, and is stocked with miniature fancy articles in porcelain, glass, parianware. There aro here also some very excellent pictures, one of them being a charming landscape. On the platform are the refreshment stalls, presided over by Mrs.

Brandon, assisted by the Misses Brandon, Park, Clayton, and Hargraye. At the angle of the hall is a very handsome screen, consisting of four leaves, each ornamented with a choice variety of pictures painted and varnished. Returning towards the door, the first stall on the right is presided over by Mrs. Bannatyne, assisted by Mesdames Reeves and Smith, and the Misses Baker, Dyer, and Best. Articles in Berlin wool are exhibited on this stall, a very noteworthy object for admiration being an ottoman, the stuffed top being covered with Berlin wool work. A bouquet of flowers is worked on the centre, having a broad rich border with a medallion' worked in the centre of each side. The last stall that has to be noticed is under the management of Mrs. llhodes, assisted by Mrs. Maxwell and the Misses Khodes, Moorhouse, Reeves, and Snow, who had a very choice selection of miniature articles. The bazaar finally closed on the evening of September 3rd. The net proceeds of the sales were upwards of. £920. Too much praise cannot be accorded to the ladies' committee and their numerous auxiliaries for the skill which they have exhibited in the preparation of the various exhibits, and for the indomitable zeal which has characterised their efforts from the initiatioa of the bazaar until the crowning success of Friday evening. It may, however, bo added that they were worthy of the great cause to which the proceeds are to be devoted. On the night of the 20th a tea and entertainment were held in the Congregational school, Woodward-street, to commemorate the removal of the Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars from their former place of meeting in Mannersstreet to the above building. The tea, confectionery, and edibles, were supplied by Mr. Morgan, of Lambton-quay, in a style to merit and to obtain unbounded praise from all quarters. By eight o'clock the tables were cleared away, and Mr. F. Fraser, of Manners-street, took the chair as requested. After a short address referring to the increasing strength and popularity of the temperance cause all over the world, and especially in Wellington, the chairman congratulated the lodge on its change of locality, which he believed would be beneficial to the public at large and to the Good Templars, and to this lodge of them in particular, on account of the more central position, allowing of more frequent visiting on the part of members of other lodges, and also on that of outsiders, who might be induced by the moderate social enjoyment being close at hand to refrain from the vulgarity of the publichouse. He then called in turn upon ladies and gentlemen present to contribute songs, recitations, and readings. Among the first must be noted for excellence the Hvely , duet, "When Ye Gang Awa', Jamie,' most pleasingly given by Mrs. Richards and Mr. J. Turner; and the solo, "The Greenwood Home," charmingly sung by Mrs Jeffs. Mr. A. J A. Knight sang with good taste, "Good Old Jeff," in which he was effectively accompanied on the harmonium by Miss Sutcliffe. Mr. Micaiah Read delivered an earnest but temperate address on the evils of excessive drinking, and total abstinence as the only sure remedy, illustrating his subject with anecdotes, but, of course, suppressing the real names. Mr. Jeffs read, with well modulated voice, with appriate gesture, and varied expression of face, the."Storyof the Ghost" from the"lngoldsby Legends." Mr. Budden read a conversation on the subject of abstinence from drink as a safeguard to family ties and affections inclining to matrimony. Mr. E. J. Wakefield, M.H.R., recited some verses entitled, "A Land of our Own ;" originally composed by himself in England, in 1849, as a hymn of departure for the Church of England Canterbury colonists, but now adapted to the circumstances of immigrants, of all classes and beliefs, to any part of Australasia "where Cook's gallant footsteps first claimed the wild shore." A good many printed "proof copies," with the. author's signature, were sold for the benefit of the lodge at twopence per copy. He intimated that the song was in the press, and about to be published by Mr. Burritt, with the music to which it has been set —a favorite old naval march tune. Mr. Wardrop delivered,with vivacity and good intonation, M. G. Lewis's sensational poem, "The Progress of Madness." At ten o'clock the chairman wound up the proceedings with a short address, followed by the first verse of the National Anthem, sung in full chorus by all present. The tea was attended by 50 or 60, including children ; and the entertainment by between 100 and 120. An open (admission free) entertainment of the same kind will be held by the same lodge on next Monday week, October 4 th, at the same place.

The fourth lecture of the series in course of delivery at St. John's Schoolroom was given by the Rev. Mr. Ward on tjie 13th instant._ The subject chosen was " English and Colonial life compared, after a visit to the old country." The rev. lecturer commencedjby briefly describing the incidents of the voyage home, and comparing the comforts to be obtained during a voyage now-a-days to the discomforts which had to be endured twenty years ago. After a touching reference to the feeling of a visitor who had been absent from the land of his birth for a quarter of a century, he passed on to glance at the condition of the agricultural laborers and the working clas3 generally, remarking that though this class had risen from the degraded state in which it existed some years ago, still the lot of colonial laborers was far more enjoyable than that of their brethren in England. Morally and religiously the colonists also compared favorably with the residents of the old country, for though he was sorry to say it, drunkenness prevailed in the colonies to an alarming extent, yet such curses as the gin-palaces of_ Manchester, Liverpool, and other large had not found a resting place in Southern Britain. ■Religion in one respeet, at any rate, was in a mere healthy condition than in England. Here we have no State Church, consequently such a thing as dissent, in the sense in which the word is used in England, did not exist, and by its absence was secured an immunity from all those heart-burnings which occasionally disturb the public mind in England, With all its natural advantages, there was no reason why the colonies, particularly New Zealand, should not occupy a position equally eminent to that occupied by Great Britain. But the people should work to secure this end; they must educate their children up to a high standard, so a} to make them intelligent and useful men and women. Many of England's la\vs might well be introduced into the colony, but there were many which it would be better to reject. He should not like to see packs of hounds kept, and the game laws in force here. In speaking on this matter, he awarded a meed of praise to Sir Cracroft Wilson for having paid the fine of a man who had been punished in Canterbury lately for having shot a duck on a day outside the shooting season, also remarking that his Excellency the Governor had never done a more graceful act in his life than when he sent an order for the release of the man, not kiiowing of the generous act of Sir Cracroft Wilson. He trusted, then, that England's virtues would be cherished, and her vices and bad laws discarded. Colonists had advantages for building up a national character which Britons never had, just as the work of settlement in these days was a work of decades rather than centuries. In concluding, he said England was the place for a visit, but Now Zealand was the place for a home. —The , usual vote of thanks terminated the proceedings.—The next lecture will be delivered by the Rev. James Paterson, on " Heroes and their influence : being an inquiry into what constitutes a true hero, and what be the naturo of the influence of a true hero." ' The first concert of the thirteenth season of the Wellington Choral Society was given at the Odd Fellows' Hall on the 16th inst. with a marked degree of success. The room was well filled by an audience that seemed thoroughly satisfied with the entertainment provided for them. His Excellency the Governor and his suite arrived a few minutes after eight o clock, and he was received by those present standing, the band playing the National Anthem. The concert then commenced with the most laudable punctuality. The first part consisted of Mozart's Twelfth Mass. This well-known work was in some respects performed with a care and faithfulness that betokened attentive rehearsal and assiduous drilling. It is not mere hyporbolo to say of the band that its execution of the more difficult passages was finished in tho extreme; indeed, throughout the evening

the band bore deservedly the lion's share of the honors. The three leading violinists in especial, in rendering Mozart's music betrayed an uncommon degree of appreciation and skill. In the vocal department such soles as were given were necessarily -weak, from the want of leading voices to perform them, but the concerted music was all well rendered. A little strengthening of the contraltos, however, could be tolerated. The second part opened with the overture "La Couronne D'Or " by the band, and it may be said here, as might be said wherever the band has to be mentioned, that it is a credit to the City of Wellington. More than one competent to judge pronounced last night that it is unequalled in the colony, and experience sus*. I tains Buch an assertion. The glee, " The Coral Grove," followed, and was received with deserved applause. An instrumental trio announced on the programme was not performed. "I'm a Merry, Merry Zingara" was then sung by a lady, and was succeeded by the gem of the evening—selections from " H Trovatore" by the band. This was loudly encored, and justly so, and in answer to the encore the portions embracing "Home to our Mountains" and "Yes I have Sighed to Rest me" were given again. In the first of these the flautist; distinguished himself, and in the Becond tha cornet player—both interpreting V«rdi's wildlj plaintive music with tenderness .and expression. The song "Soenes that are brightest," was then given by a lady possessed of a very sweet and pleasant voice, and did not suffer by th« repetition which an encore produced, as it gained through the confidence of the performer, who had been a little nervous in its first rendering. The part song, " Good Night thou Glorious Sun," and a galop, " Express Train," brought the programme to an end in good time, the audience being dismissed, as is customary, to "God save the Queen." Mr. Mowbray conducted with his accustomed skill during the first part and the glees and part song, and Mr. Curry led the band in those portions of the programme which were wholly instrumental. This last named gentleman deserves the thanks of every one who waa present for furnishing them, by the skill and care with which he has perfected the instrumentalists, with a concert that can scarcely be too highly praised. On the 20th the seventh anniversary of the Manners-street Wesleyan Church was celebrated by special services. In the morning the Rev. Mr. Dewsbury preached an able sermon from Psalm c'xlv. 9. On this occasion the attendance was not larger than usual, the rain which commenced just before service time doubtless deterring many from venturing out. Before evening, however, the weather had cleared up, and consequently the large church was well filled. The Rev. Mr. Morley officiated, and after the usual devotional exercises had been gone through, delivered a very interesting and earnest discourse on the Jewish Jubilee, taking his text from Leviticus xxv. He sketched the many peculiar features of this custom of the Jewish nation, and dwelt at length on its advantages social, political, and religious, and remarked, when viewing it in a political aspect, that it settled completely and satisfactorily the much-vexed question of land tenure; while political economists of the present day, with all their wisdom, found the solution of the difficulty too much for them, and statesmen were only now in a blundering way beginning to approach the question. At the conclusion of each service a collection was taken in aid of the trust funds.

The Wellington Mutual Improvement Association held its fortnightly meeting on Thursday, 23rd inst, in the schoolroom, Woodward-street, the president in the chair. Several readings and recitations were given in good style by the memberß, and criticism in each case ensued. An hour was also spent in readings at first sight. The Wellington Literary Association held their usual weekly meeting on the evening of the 21st. There was a strong muster of the members of the association, to listen to the eßsay on " Commerce," read by Mr. Hopkirk. The essay having been read, an animated discussion ensued on the merits of the question. The association have deternmined to give _a musical and literary entertainment early in October next, the particulars of which will ba advertised at an early date. Mr. Hutchison delivered an interesting and instructive lecture on the 6thinstant on " James Watt," in the Presbyterian schoolroom, Willisstreet, the attendance being moderate. Prayers having' been pronounced by the pres ding clergyman, Mr. Hutchison opened his lecture by referring to the time at which Watt was born, the characteristics of that age and contemporary history. He then sketched the life of the great inventor from his birth at Greenock, on January 19, 1736, to his death in the year 1819, detailing the various stages of his labors in the development of the steam-engine. The lecture was interspersed with amusing anecdotes and appropriate quotations, and was listened ta throughout with the utmost attention. At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks was ac-" corded the lecturer ; and the Rev. Mr. Paterson took occasion to announce that the next lecture would be delivered by the Rev. Mr. Ward, the subject to be "English and Colonial Life compared."