GOOD TEMPLAR’S ENTERTAINMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 38, 21 August 1875, Page 2

GOOD TEMPLAR’S ENTERTAINMENT.

Another of these popular entertainments was held in the Immigration Barracks, on Thursday evening last, and we may with all fairness pronounce it to be the moat successful of the season. Additional talent was introduced, which materially lent to its success. The room was well lighted, and the brilliancy of the regalia, together with the large attendance ladies, added to its cheerfulness. Adams occupied the Chief Templar’s chair, supported on his right by Bro. F. J. Smith and Sister Carey, and on Ids left by Sister Smith and Bro. Rhodes. Mr W. Williams acted as conductor. Punctually to the hour named in the advertisement, the proceedings were opened by the brethren singing a hymn. The chief (Bro. Adams) then delivered an impressive opening address, graphically depicting the miseries arising from intemperence and the objects of the society, and at its close was rewarded with a round of applause. A reading by Mr W. Williams, jun., followed, showing a marked improvement as compared with bis previous efforts. Miss Williams, accompanied by her sister on the harmonium, then sang “ Ever be True ” in good style, A recitation by Bro. Keys disclosed a slight amount of nervousness. Bro. Torey fairly recited “ Napoleon’s Story.” Miss Carey’s rendering of “ When the Cruel War is Over,” was deservedly applauded. This was followed by an amusing reading by Bro. J. Whelan, entitled “Mr O’Leary’s Troubles,” which kept the audience in roars of laughter. The next item was a serio-comic song by Bro. Startup. Sister Lyttloton responded to the next item by singing a song, which elicited the approbation of the audience by a hearty applause, and was followed by Miss Williams reading “ The Bridal Winccup,” which was pathetically rendered. Tin's young lady, with a little cultivation, will prove an acquisition to these entertainments. A comic duet, in which Mr and Mrs Rhodes took part, would not have reflected discredit in an entertainment of a more pretentious character, and at its conclusion they were vociferously encored, Mrs Rhodes responding with a favourite song. Bro. Williams, sen., then read a most affecting story with great pathos, the horrors of which sent a regular thrill through the audience, but Miss Fish’s attractive song, entitled “ The Belle of the Ball ” proved a potent relief, as it assisted in restoring the audience to their ordinary temperature. “ Father Come Home ” was sung by Mrs Lyttleton, Miss Smith, and the Misses Williams, with accompaniment, with very good taste. Mr Holtham then fol--1 owed with a reading, entitled the Engineers Story, which received full justice at his hands, and elicited the approval of the audience. The next item was a song by Miss Pentfold ‘‘.ln want of a Beau,” her rendering of which was so good that we noticed an irr< s'stible willingness on the part of several gentleman to respond to the invitation of her song, at its conclusion an absolute encore was demanded, to which site complied by repeating the last verse. This was followed hy a semi-local reading by Mr Adams, which contained a great deal of humour, and was excellently rendered, deservedly eliciting a deafening sound of a plause. “The Last Rose of Summer.” by Mrs Wheclan and Miss Smith was nicely sung. A reading entitled Hied at the Station House, by Bro. K. Wheelan, was effectively rendered, but rather inaudible. This was followed hy a song from Mrs Startup entitled “ I Have No Mother Now.” Brother Sergeant then sing the “The British Lion.” The next was a comic song, bv Bro. Rhodes “ Sir George Grey,” which was well received. Master Carey, after singing “ Paddy’s trip on the Railway, was compelled from the nattering applause of the audience to re-appear. This was followed by a song from Bro. Morgan, and a duet on the harmonium by the Misses Williams brought an attractive programme to a close. Mr W. Williams, sen., then delivered a brief address, extending a cordial invitation to those present to join the ranks, and assist in the good cause. The company separated after singing “ God Save the Queen,” and with a hope to have an opportunity of again responding to an invitation to be present at these social gatherings.