HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 186, 20 January 1877, Page 2

HAWERA.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 18. TilE great feature of notice during the present week has boon the opening of the Presbyterian Church here, the first services being pertormou by the Lga Mi Treadwell orT Sunday last and the tea meeting held to celebrate its opening, and to augment the building and church funds, being'licit! yesterday. Despite the threatening appearance of the weather during the day, a largo number of people were present at "the tea. which was held in the Presbyterian Church, and by G p.m. the building was crowded with residents from all parts of the county. The meeting was the largest that has ever been held in Ilawera, all Masses of the different denominations being present. During the day several gentlemen (amongst whom 1 noticed Messrs Davidson, Grcig, and J. Winks) were assiduous in their endeavors to erect the tables, forms, &0., and -Mr Greig, was instrumental in arranging and completing the decorations. About 4 p.m. the fair ladies who had kindly offered to preside over the different tables assembled in the church. Every table was tastefully decorated. The ladies deserve every praise for the way in which they provided at their own expense for the public. The names of the ladies who contributed to, and presided over the dilferuiit tallies. r s Stewart, who was assisted InMiss Corrigan, Mrs Muir, assisted by Miss Alexander, Mrs McLean, Mrs King, the Misses Winks. Mrs CL Hunter, Mrs J. Winks, Mrs Black, assisted by Mrs W. Trcwoek, Mrs Cooper, Miss Douglas, and Mrs McL’Dowie ; and at the childrens’ table, the good things for which were provided by private contribution, Mrs Harkness, assisted by Miss Florence Alexander, looked after'the interests of (he little ones. At the tea no less than IGO persons partook of the good things proaided, and although this seems a great number for the ladies ahovonaine.d to provide for, yet a large quantity of the thing's had to he carried away, thui proving the extreme munificence of the l air donors. Tea being over, the room was soon cleared. While on this subject, I cannot refrain front commenting on the conduct of cci tain members of the male sex, who, while the clearing away was taking place, conducted themselves in anything but a decorous manner, and who seemed entirely to forg -t that they wcie in the precincts of a church, and were carrying on their athletic proclivities in a chinch yard. At 8 p.m. the second part of the meeting commenced, at which over 200 people ware present, by the Rev. Mr Martin proposing that Mr A. \Viuks take (he chair, which ho, accordingly did ; Aftor singing- a hymn, Mr AV Inks deh\ ered a short address, in which he said that they had just; been partaking o! “ the cup that cheers but does not inebriate," and would now en joy “ the feast of reason, and the flow of soul.” He then called on Mrs Muir for a song.

Mrs Muir, assisto;l by Mr King. and accompanied on tbo harmonium by -Miss Alexander, Iben uroewde 1 wbb !i<>r song. “ Tell tno the oid. Obi Siory.” (lie wholo choir (composed of about eight ladies anil four srontlomen') joining in the c-lionn. This was follows! by a song. by MiKing, accompaine 1 by Mrs Wm Dingle, entitled, “Sweet bv-and-bye.” Another sony, “Clonie io the Saviour,” snny by Mrs J. Winks (aceompanied by llte same body as t-lu> preceding one)- was nicely rendered, the choir mi l many persona in the ehuvcb joining in the ehorna. The Chairman then proceeded to explain to the meet her the cans' of Ibo absenee of the Ibiv Mr 1 rcai! v/cll. nbo v, as nnablo to attend for va-ion-i reasons, ne bo pig unable to leave bis 11 ie!c at Wanganni for such a lenydi of lime ; illness also being pleaded for In's absence. Tie then called upon the Rev. Mr Law to address the inee'imr, who proceeded to express bis gratification at seeing such a larye yatlieriny, and conyralijl itM the peonle of TTawora in baviny attained such desirable objects as three chirehes in the township, that the services of the old and the young must be enlisted to make the present building a fitting monument 1o Jehovah, and many other suitable and religions remarks. The Lev Mr Martin then sang “ Let the lower lights be burning,” in a vciy impressive manner. After which Miss Corrigan, accompanied by Mrs Stewart, sang, “ The Pilgrims of the Night,” which was followed by a song “The Lifeboat.” bv Miss Alexander, who aceompanied herself. Mr Martin then proceeded to address the audience. Ho said, that his anticipations were greatly exceeded, as lie thought that the church "would be only half full, and he was rejoiced to sec the place so crowded. ITo regretted the nbs-meo of any member of tlm Presbyterian Church belonging to the Wellington Presbytery, as such members would Tie sorrv they were no'- present when t.lmv heard of the success of the meeting. Tic explained that lie was not a member of that, or any other New Zealand Presbytery, as be never intended to ston long in New Zealand, as he bad always intended to go homo to the old country at an early date. ITo was exceedingly sorry to see a building open, but no clergyman to carry on the duties of the district. He discoursed on the olijects for which the church was formed, how these objects should bo carried out, and on many other religious questions affecting the religious welfare of the community. After the address. Airs Wm Dingle sang “ What shall the harvest be ?” assisted by Messrs Dingle and King : and then came the gem of the evening, a song, entitled “ Resignation,” which was sung by Mrs Stewart, in a beautiful manner Mrs Stewart accompanied herself, ami her performance elicited hearty and Well-msrited applause from the whole audience. The, Chairman then called upon Air Davidson to address the audience relative to the, origin and foundation of the present building, which bo did by tolling them that it was about two years ago since the Rev Mr McCalliun first started the Presbyterian denomination in the township ; that at that time the amount collected was £l3O. most of winch had been spent in sustentation money ; about twelve months ago the subject of building a church was mooted, and £I9G collected, and £IOO borrowed towards that object ; and now £285 15s bad been spent on the present building. Altogether a debt of >B9 was si Hi due. The Rev Mr Tread-

well had promised to go to Wellington shortly and arrange about a clergyman for the district. The Chairman then proposed, that some one from the audience should rise and propose “ a vote of thanks to the ladies.” It was an understood thing- that Mr Grcig intended to perform this ideasnre, but as ho was not present, in the Hall at the time, Mr Davidson came forward, and in a few able remarks proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had so generously provided and presided at the tea tallies, ami also to those who had assisted in the choir. The proposition was carried unanimously, amid a hearty round of applause. Mr King returned thanks on behalf of the ladies, and then proposed a vole of thanks to the clergymen present, to which MiLaw returned thanks. Tlia Kev Mr Martin then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was duly responded to by him. The Kev Mr Martin closed the proceedings by singing a pretty and instructive song, called, “Look and Live.” Thus ended one of the most pleasant, instructive, and enjoj-able meetings that has ever been held here.