SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 6

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

A meeting was held at Mrs. Power's Albert Hotel on Tuesday, Mr. Kersey in the chair, when a Clerks' Association was formed, to ho enrolled ultimately under the Benefit Societies Act. Sovtral gentlemen gave in their names as members, and the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next, when a large attendance is expected. This appears to be a step in the right direction, and well managed as to details, will no doubt prove a success. A meeting of the Makara Literary Committee was held on Monday night. It was stated that Mr. S. Lancaster was willing to give a donation of £3 out of his honorariiun towards the funds. The president was directed to notify the willingness of the committee to accept it with thanks. The president was requested to apply for a share of the Government subsidy. A lecture on “ Ireland and the Irish ” was delivered in the Wesleyan Church, Mannersstreet, on Monday, by the Uev. R. Hazelton, M.A., Dublin, in aid of Protestant education in Ireland. There was a fair attendance. The rev. gentleman spoke for about an hour and a half, and interspersed an interesting discourse by several well-told anecdotes. At the conclusion of the lecture a collection was made, and the amount realised was £lO lls. In addition to this amount, Mr. Hazelton, since his visit to Wellington, has received subscriptions amounting to .£63. Another of those very enjoyable entertainments that have been got up with the object of reducing the debt on the schools in Boul-cott-street conducted by the Marist Brothers, took place in the schoolroom on Tuesday night. There was a crowded attendance, and the entertainment passed off in a highly satisfactory manner. It was sustained by the Catholic Dramatic Class, assisted by several local amateurs ; and the Hibernian Band contributed several very excellent instrumental selections. “Box and Cox” was made intensely amusing by Messrs. Gibbs, Davis, and Whittaker, in the respective parts of Cox, Box, and Mrs. Bouncer. The songs rendered by the lady amateurs were in most cases vociferously encored, and the comic and sentimental songs given by the gentlemen amateurs were also very successful. The farces “ More Pree than Welcome” and the “ Express Train” were also important features in the programme, and the audience seemed to enjoy the entertainment moat thoroughly from beginning to end, judging from the hearty laughter and applause that he performances evoked. In a musical and dramatic sense the entertainment was a decidedly good one, and we are glad to say that it was likewise equally satisfactory in a pecuniary point of view. There was a well-attended meeting of members of the newly-formed Union Debating Club at the Colonial Museum on Monday, and there were also present several ladies. Dr, Newman occupied the chair. Mr. J. E. Fitz Gerald delivered an able address on the occasion, in which he pointed out the advantage and uses of oratory, and dwelt upon the fact that the facility of public speaking could he acquired by patient labor and study, and was _ within the reach of almost everyone of ordinary intelligence, very few people indeed being naturally endowed with the gift of eloquence. This proposition he illustrated from history, showing that many leading orators in times past and at the present moment have acquired the art of so speaking in public as to move masses of their fellow beings by slow degrees, and in many cases after much effort. Hone, thexe.fore, need be discouraged in the attempt to become fluent and ready speakers. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks to Mr. Fitz Gerald was carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned for a fortnight. It is tiic object of this debating club to fill the place in this community of the Un’on Clubs at Oxford and Cambridge, which have been the training grounds of many students who, after leaving the Universities, have made their mark at the Church, the Bar, or in Parliament. The attempt to start a debating society of the kind here, in which the young men of the place can practice oratory, and qualify, themselves for public speakers, is a most laudable one, and will, we hope, meet with that success which, judging from the start which has been already made, may fairly be anticipated. A vocal and instrumental concert was given on Monday in the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenay-plaoe, in aid of the buildfund of the new church which the congregation contemplate erecting on the front of their section of land. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr. Richardson. Several anthems and choruses were very creditably sung by the choir, under the conduotorship of Mr. Hudson. Solos were contributed by Mrs. Sorrell, and Messrs. Kitchen, Hudson, and Bilman ; and the entertainment was as a whole highly successful. The amount realised was about £lO. It may he mentioned that Miss Bradford presided ably at the piano during the evening. The members of the "Wellington Club gave a complimentary dinner on the evening of June Ilth to their President, George Hunter, Esq., M.H.R, in grateful acknowledgment of the services which, daring a period of years, he has rendered to the institution. A very large number of members were present on the occasion, and the demonstration must have been as grateful to Mr. Hunter as it was justly merited. A soiree was held in the Odd Fellows Hall on the night of the 2-ith for the benefit of the widow and family of Sergeant Brewer, late of the City Rifles. The hall was crowded to excess. Dancing was started shortly before 9 o’clock, and was kept up with spirit until close on daylight. The music was excellent, and was provided by members of the late sergeant’s company, assisted by Miss Rex at the piano. The proceeds we understand amounted to £2O clear of all expenses, which sum will be handed over to Mrs. Brewer. A most agreeable entertainment was given on May 30th at St. John's schoolroom, Willisstreet. The place was as crowded as could be wi&hout causing inconvenience to those present; and the programme was got through in a manner which reflected credit on the performers, and more especially on Mr. Raymond, the conductor ; and before the close of the entertainment the chairman, the Rev. J. Paterson, spoke in a very eulogistic manner of both the choir and Mr. Raymond. The first item on the programme was “The merry spring time,” which was very nicely rendered by the choir. Two well-known amateurs followed with the duet, “ The brothers,” which was well received. The lady who sang “ Jessie’s dream” showed how much could be dona by a careful cultivation of a naturally good voice. “ Phillis is ray only joy” was so well rendered by a favorite amateur that he narrowly escaped an encore, the chairman good-humoredly remarking that Phillis would not be the only joy of the evening. Neither was it, for a young lady followed with a song, “The rowan tree,” which was so beautifully rendered that an encore had to bo given in response to the repeated calls of the audience. “A soldier must for ever war be waging,” although carefully sung, fell rather flat after what had preceded it. Then came a pianoforte solo, “ Fantasia on "Welsh airs,” by a young girl twelve or thirteen years old apparently, and whoso delicate touch and execution gives promise of future excellence. “ The captive, or progress of madness,” a recitation, was given with feeling and pathos by a young gentleman who has always contributed a good deal to the success of these pleasant gatherings. “Oh ! say once more I love thee,” came next, and the young lady who sang it deserves groat praise, and the encore which followed, “ Love me once again,” both being given with great taste, and with much sweetness. The choir followed with “The farewell," and then a young lady sang, “ The rnby.” “ When green leaves come again” whs charmingly rendered by a young lady, whoso’ voice appears to improve with every appearance. A comic reading with a moral, “The shadow on the blind,” was then given in capital style by the chairman. Then followed what, in our opinion, was tlio gem of the evening, a dnet by a lady and gentleman, “ A word the rendition ol which was remarkably goed. “The Englishman” was so well received that the gentleman who sang it, and who possesses a fine baritone voice, had to sing once more. “The bonnia wee window,” a very comic old Scotch ditty, quite charmed the audience. This elicited an encore, which ■was complied with by the singer giving “ John Crumbly and his wife.” “Ye merry birds and “ God save the Queen,” both by the chojr, brought a most pleasant entertainment to a close, everybody going away highly pleased with the entertainment.

At Christchurch on the afternoon of Juno filth a testimonial and 220 sovs. were presented to Lieut. Dugald Macfarlane, an old Waterloo, veteran, aged 88. The annual meeting of the Wesleyan Young Men’s Improvement Society was held in the church vestry on Thursday, May 30. After the annual report had been read, the following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session, viz.;—President, Rev, A. Reid; vice-presidents, Rev. W. J. Williams and Mr. A. Goddard ; secretary, Mr, W. K, Puller; treasurer, Mr. W. G. 'Justin; librarian, Mr. W. J, Helyer; committee, Messrs. G. Tiller, J, Geli, Cooper, and G, B. Clark.

A very enjoyable concert was given in the Provincial Hall on the evening of June Bth by Mr. J. A. Edwards, the performers being pupils of his. Admission was by invitation, and these were issued to the parents and friends of the pupils. The hall was crowded in every part by an audience that was critical, but a large proportion of the pieces were highly appreciated and well received. From the programme, which is given below, it will be seen that much of the music was of a high class, and the way in which the instrumentalists and vocalists acquitted themselves was strong evidence as to the skill of the teacher, who clearly did not fear to put his pupils to severe tests. It is satisfactory to note that a determined attempt was made to prevent encores being demanded, and in only two instances was an encore insisted upon. Mr. Edwards, who sang the “ Stirrup cup” with great vigor and taste, had to reappear, and the young lady who sang “Two worlds” was also obliged to bow to the demands of the audience, who were greatly pleased with the pathetic and feeling manner in which she sang, and the musical skill she displayed. Special mention must he made of the exquisite playing of Mendelssohn’s “Leidsr,” Beethoven’s sonata in A Flat, Gottschalk’s “ Last hope,” Blumenthal’s “ Les deux auges,” ami the singing of the same composer’s celebrated “Message.” the whole progr amme was got through in a highly satisfactory manner. At the conclusion of the concert the Mayor of "Wellington said he did not think they ought to separate without thanking Mr. Edwards and his pupils for having entertained them so They were all aware of Mr. Edwards’ attainments, and were acquainted with bis ability as a fh’stclass musician and vocalist. That night it had been made apparent that he possessed in a remarkable manner the faculty oi imparting to others a share of that with which he was so richly endowed. Mr. Dransfield then suggested that as they were not all to speak in returning thanks, those present should express approval of his few remarks by bringing the palms of their hands into vigorous contact. This invitation was followed by very hearty applause. All then left, being pleased with the concert —the parents and intimate friends of the pupils especially so. Mr. Edwards desires to thank Mr. George Hunter, who kindly lent his grand piano for the occasion. The following is the programme:—Piano, “ Lieder ohne worte,” Molto Allegro, Adagio, Allegretto Grazioso, (Mendelssohn.) Song, The Stirrup Cup,” (Arditi.) Grand Sonata in A flat, “ Beethoven.” Recitative and Air, “ The Gift and the Giver,” sequel to “ The Stirrup Cup,” (Arditi.) Piano, “Derni6re espdrauce,” (Gottsohaik.) Trio, “ Rest thee on this mossy pillow,” “ Smart.” Piano, “ Les deux anges,” (Blumenthal.) Song, “ The Message,” (Blumenthal.) Piano. “ Grande Marche Triumphale,” (Da Meyer.) Song, “ Two Worlds,” (Gampana.) Piano, Fantasia on “ Oberon,” ( Weber.) Ballad, “Twaslonglong since in the spring time,” (Allen.) Piano, “Grande etude de concert,” (Voss.) Song, “ Sleep, my love, sleep, ” (Sullivan.) Piano, “La Capera,” (Forbes.) Song waltz, “ To the woods,” (Warner.) Piano, “Grand valse,” (Mattel) Bolero, “May Song,” (Levy.) Grand fantasia, “ Home, sweet home,” (Thalberg.) On the evening of Wednesday, Juno 6th, the members of the Congregational Church, Christchurch, presented their late pastor, the Rev. S. Habeas, with a silver tea and coffee service and 160 sovs., and an illuminated address. Mr. Hahens leaves Christchurch shortly for Wellington, to enter on his appointment as Inspector-General of Schools.