AUCKLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2159, 19 February 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[VROiI OUll OIVS COJKEESPOA'DEJVX’.] A TIMOHOUS 11EPEES E NTATIVE. The sudden change of parly which Mr AA r . J. Hurst, one of the members for Auckland City AVest, saw tit to make during the recent session of Parliament, drew down upon him at the time the severe condemnation of his constituents, in public meeting assembled, and his return home was eagerly looked forward to by the general public in consequence. He was expected to invite the exasperated electors to meet him at an early date, and it was currently rumored that the reception to be accorded him would be particularly warm. In due time the honorable member put in an appearance, and he was at once besieged with enquirers, desirous to learn the date of the anticipated meeting. AVith bland affability they were all and severally assured that the time was at hand and would be almost immediately announced, while those individuals who had undertaken to guide and direct the hostile movement, were graciously informed that the presumbably crooked tilings in his brief Parliamentary career would be effectually made straight. Hays sped quickly away, and still no notification of the promised post-sessional address ; anonymous letters, pregnant with accusation, appeared iu the daily papers, and evoked no response ; while personal interviews from irate demagogues had no stimulating influence, upon the smiling vendor of bouedust and chaff. Perceiving that Mr Hurst had no desire to become the subject of an adverse resolution, and the object of personal attack in a clamorous meeting, a number of the electors determined to corner them, and with this end ju view a requisition, requesting him to call a meeting, as prepared and circulated for signature; 800 names were appended to it, and then a deputation waited upon the Hon. gentleman. He had, however, received prior intimation of the situation, and he bad accordingly drawn up a written statement. Well aware that their representative was a master of the art of finesse, the denutation declined to receive other than a plain “ aye ” or “ no ” to their request, fearful that if they consented to hear the prepared speech, it might go forth to the public as a vindication of character, and thus obviate the necessity of a meeting. MiMiurst refused to make any

answer, except in the way he pleased, and the deputation, being equally resolute, the interview terminated with an assurance from the elect of the people that the reply would be published through the Press. However, it has not yet appeared, and charges of moral cowardice arc freely made against the member. His chances of re-election are extremely doubtful. C AI. VAX I STIC OI I’’ EE 11E X<' ES. During the past week or two political topics and social scandal have given precedence in the public mind to an amusing congregational squabble which has arisen in St James’s Presbyterian Church as to the merits of such amusements as dancing and rinking, and the advisability of permitting them to be introduced into a semi-religious building. The dispute arose in this way : Eighteen months ago the afore-mentioned congregation determined upon the erection of a large building adjacent to the church, which should serve as a Sunday school-room on the first day of every week, and on the remaining six should be utilisd os a public entertainment hall. The revenue to be gained in this way was sanguinely expected to cover the total expenditure in a year or two, and entranced with the prospect, the “ faithful” readily subscribed to the project. With that spirit of brotherly love which is eminently characteristic of these communities, the contract was placed in the hands of a respected member of the church who happened to be an architect, and in the fruition of time the edifice was completed. Two secular bodies immediately applied for its use on different nights in order to hold entertainments, with which the pleasant pastime of dancing was to he associated. The necessary consent was promptly given, and then the strife commenced. The horror-stricken saints convened a meeting to protest against the contemptible sacrilege, and after expressing their strong denunciation of the course pursued by the heedless authorities, declined to sanction their act. One of the bodies to which the hall was let was persuaded by a present of T 7 to forego its claim upon the building, but the other one persisted, and held its dance. It was then resolved that no more dancing should be held in the hall, but that the very enjoyable recreation (sic.) of rinking, should be tolerated. Kinking, thus encouraged, became a very popular amusement, and the Sunday-school teachers, eschewing the stupid and vulgar art of dancing, formed themselves into a club for the attainment of of proficiency in the new method of easy locomotion. The young ladies declared to their friends that they did not at all mind the falls and tumbles to which the excursive propensities of their pedal extremities subjected them, in fact that they rather liked such exciting amusement, while the number of adolescent swains who Hocked to the ball to condole with distressed beauty and impart instruction was truly surprising. All went merry as a marriage bell. In the midst of this season of general harmony and congregational rinking the annual meeting was held. With gleeful satisfaction the rinkists pointed to the large sum which they had contributed to the funds in the shape of rent, and encouraged by the approving remarks which the reference elicited, the dancers ventured to present a plea on behalf of Terpsichore. The estimated revenue had not been realised and the fear of threatened pecuniary difficulties therefore disposed the congregation to pay especial heed to the mild request. It was gnrvely admitted that dancing could not be so bad as had at first been thought, and after some little cogitation, it was decided by a large majority that dancing and rinking should both be countenanced. The young man in his exuberance of spirit then arose, and after deploring the imperfect acquaintance which the various members of the congregation had of each, proposed, as a means towards closer union the formation of a Congregational Kecrcation Club, which should undertake the initiation of classes for singing, dancing, and rinking. The proposition was promptly seconded and to the consternation of the amazed clergyman (who presided), was warmly commended on all hands. He mildly suggested that the scheme should not be given the appearance of a congregational project and in obedience to bis desire it was allowed to’remain in|abeyance for the time. The accomodating minister made made no reference to the dancing question however, but on the following Sunday morning he delivered afuriousjPhillipic from the pulpit against the supporters of the ungodly amusements. lu marked contrast to his previous unconcern ho worked himself up into a fine frenzy, imputed intcrestedmotivestothc leaders in the recreation schemes, and closed a fervid harangue by calling upon the congregation to redeem its honour by removing the stigma which had been cast upon the church. A special meeting of the congregation was then called and after a stormy acrimonious discussion during which the Minister’s inconsistent conduct was strongly censured, dancing and rinking were both tabooed. Considerable exacerbation of feeling is the result, while the outside public are much amused at the manner in which the congregation has satisfied itself. The question of introducing chanting into the services is now receiving attention and is likely to provoke another lively outburst of conservative indignation. DICKEXS AXATHEJIATISED. The Kev. Allan W. Webb, a muscular and most narrow-minded specimen of Baptist Christianity, has girded up his loins, and with truculent determination has publicly assailed the character of the popular modern novelist —Charles Dickens. The good parson has discovered that the novelist’s views in regard to religion are very unsatisfactory—that it was of such a miserable, drivelling, and sentimental nature, as to lead to the conviction that he knew very little about vital religion. In short, the conclusion come to was that the gifted author of “Pickwick” and “David Copperlield ” the genial creator of “Little Nell’’and the Chceryble Brothers had no religion at all. Mr Webb has found to his sorrow that his incautious deliverance has brought a hornet’s nest about his ears. A host of eager combatants have opened the fray, through the Kress, and a "’deputation has been appointed to wait upon the Kev. Mr Edgar (an unsectarian clergyman) in order to induce him to lecture in Dickens’ favor. Meanwhile the Kev. Mr Webb hides his diminished head. THEATRICAL TROUIiLES. After a series of unfortunate differences and discreditable disputes, the Kiccardi Opera Company has collapsed. Messrs Kiccardi and Harding, with Miss Leaf, have gone to Melbourne under engagement to Mr J. C. Williamson, who is so well known in connection with “ Struck Oil,” and with “ Pinafore ”

prosecutions. The primary cause of the disbandment was Mr lliccardi’s strike for an increase of salary, which was followed by the resignation of some of the other members and a general misunderstanding. Mr J. J. Wallace is now playing a dramatic season. He is supported by a company comprising Marie Wilton, Jessie Raymond, J. B. Steele, Haygarth, Jas. O’Brien, and others.