ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 906, 19 January 1882, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Tea anb Concert,

The annual social gathering in connection with the above Church was held last evening in the Volunteer .Hall. The Hall was very tastefully decorated with flowers, and everywhere was to be seen evidence that much taste, skill, and labor had been expended on the preparations by the Committee. In the body of the hall were ten tables laid out in a most tasteful manner and there were two more tables on the stage which were reserved for children. The catering was performed by the ladies of the congregation, several of whom presided over the tables, and in quality and quantity the viands were all that the most epicurean taste could desire Notwithstanding that the weather was very unfavorable—a strong wind that scattered dust and drops of rain about prevailing—the attendance was very large, it having been estimated that no less than 300 people were present. The tea commenced at 6 o’clock, and was not over till after seven when the hall was cleared for the concert.

At eight o’clock the concert commenced, the Rev Clirtft'ers-Welsh occupying the Chair. The hall was crowded to excess, m ny from Tnnaru, Geraldine, Pleasant Point, and intervening districts being amongst the audience. The performance commenced with an overture entitled “ Zulieka” by the band, under the cunductorship of Mr Stratton. The time was excellent, and it was shown that much care was given to the rehearsal of ffie piece. Tbe Eev J. Chaffers-Walsh then addressed the audience. He said it gave him great pleasure to see so many pn sent, especially persons belonging to churches other than St Saviour’s. To these he gave a hearty welcome. He was glad the Rev Mr Gordon was present, and the Eev Mr Fee would have been present only that business belonging to his church took him away to Christchurch. There w< re two whose presence they would miss, Mrs Taylor and Mr Leishman, who had. intended to come apd take part in the concert, but were deterred by tl e stormy weather. Easter was the time of the year at which they entered into the financial position of their Church, and he would not refer to them now, tut proceed with the pro-

gramme.

The choir then sang the anthem “ Behold how good and joyful,” under the the leadership of Mr W G. Eutland. in a very creditable manner, their voices blending well together, showing they had rehearsed it carefully. Mr Pilbrow sang “He wipes away a tear” in such a pathetic way as to enlist the sympathies of the audience. Mrs Edmonds, who established her reputation as a singer at the Presbyterian conceit, was received with applause, and loudly encored for her singing of “I. cannot mind my wheel, Mother,” to which she responded by singing “ Katie’s letter.” The next item on the programme was a duet “Flow gently Deva,” sung by Messrs Bell and Rutl and which was loudly applauded. Both vocalists acqnited themselves very creditably in giving a pleasant rendering of a very difficult piece of musfe. Mr Bell has a very sweet light tenor voice, and Mr Rutland a baritone of considerable power and compass, and both voices blended well together. The choir next sang Hie part song “Tho Hardy Norseman,” and Mrs Steward sang “In the Gloaming,” very nicely. A fantasia for the piano and cornet played by Mrs Cox, (who also accompanied most of the songs) and Mr Stratto- , was perhaps one of the best rendered items on the programme. The piano was played tvith a delicacy of I ouch, and a rapidity of execution not frequently to be experienced at amateur enterta’riments. The cornet was not inferior, and tbe audience testified their

pleasure at it in loud applause. The fantasia was a selection from the

“ Gugenots.” “ Man the Lifeboat ” was given by Mr Edmonds in a clear, flexible baritone voice, in such an admirable man be? that it elecited a rapturous encore from the audience, to which he responded by singing “The village blacksmith,” perhaps better than his first song. Mr Edmonds has few, if any, equals as a singer in the district.

After an interval of a few minutes and the band had played, the Rev Mr D. Gordon, in that genial and happy style so peculiar to himself complimented them on the success of their entertainment and expressed the pleasure he felt at being present. The concert gaye evidence of their success, and he siugerely wished their success to continue. The Rey Air ChaffersWelsh and himself felt the kindliest feelings towards each other, and he was sure they would always be found marching shoulder to shoulder in the service of Christ, The rev. gentleman wound up an excellent and pleasant speech by expressing the pleasure he felt at being present and sat down amidst great applause. Mrs Stephens sang ‘‘ The Captive Greek’ with spirit, and was encored. Air H. Clinch followed with a comic song entitled There’s nothing like pride about me,” and was londly encored, to which he responded by singing “ Smoking a cigar.” Mrs Heap sang “ I shouldn’t like to tell,” in a nice, pleasant manner, and Dr Campbell “ The wearing of the green,” both receiving marked testimony of appreciation. Air Rutland gave the air, “ The Trumpet shall sound,” from “ The Alessiah,” with a trumpet obligato by Mr Stratton, with good effect, and in good voice. Air Cox proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had supplied the tea. which was carried by acclamation. -

The Rev Mr Chaffers-Welsh said he wished to thank Mr Gordon for the manner in which he spoke of him. He (Mr Welsh) had been twelve months in Temuka, and he never yet had received the cold shoulder from anyone he had met, and the kindness with which he was received had made his duties much lighter. He thanked the ladies for the trouble they had gone to in getting up the tea. There was now a paper in their midst which have an excellent report of such another entertainment as this, but the names of all the ladies who had assisted would not be published as they were so numerous that they would take up all the paper. The decorations on the wal] were the work of one whose good deeds were to be seen in their church and, in fact, wherever they turned. There would be a dance after the entertainment. He thought it the duty of ministers to mix in the amusements of their people and therefore he would be present. If dancing were such as he could not attend he would have to denounce such as danced from the pulpit but there was no necessity for that, as ifc was nothing but a harmless and healthful recreation. He moved a vote of thanks to the performer’s, which was carried amidst great applause. The concert wound up with the “ National Anthem.” A dance was then held in the hall which was crowded to excess. Dancing was kept up until a late hour and all enjoyed themselves to their hearts content. [We made efforts to get the names of the ladies who presided over the tables, but the Committee deemed it undesirable to publish them, and hence the reason that their names do not appear.]