ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH GATHERING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1089, 31 March 1883, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH GATHERING.

The annual gathering held in- connec-

tion with the above church came off last Thursday, in the Volunteer Hall, very successfully. The taste and elegance with which the hall was de • •orated betrayed at once the presence of Mr Alfred Cox, whose handiwork in that respect is so well-known in Temuka, and under whose supervision the decorations were carried out. On various parts of the hall were such mottoes as “ Welcome,” Welcome to old friends and new,” and other devices of equally suitable import. The tea, .which was supplied by ladies of the congregation, was all that could be desired, and showed that neither labor nor expense was spared in providing the best that could be got. The tables were presided over by the following ladies, viz.-Mrs Hamilton (Mrs S. D. Barker’s table), Mrs Meyer and Miss McPherson, Miss Langridge, Misses Binley and Parke, Mrs and Miss Rutland, Mrs Wills and Mrs Pilbrow, Mrs and Miss Lee, Mrs Voyce and Mrs Sweet, and Mrs Austin. The good things were as abundant in quantity as they were excellent in quality, and were thoroughly enjoyed by about 200 people, who sat down to them. The Weather, of course, interfered with the attendance. The previous forenoon was fine, but during the afternoon dark lowering clouds began to gather, and a heavy shower of rain fell between five and seven o’clock in the evening. This of course kept a good many people from a distance away, but yet the attendance was large, considering the state of the weather, and increased considerably at eight o’clock, when the weather cleared up and the entertainment commenced. The Rev. Mr Hamilton, the Incumbent of the Church, presided, and in a brief speech explained that the entertainment bad been held fo* the dual object of reducing the debt on the church and of meeting in a friendly and Christian spirit. After indulging in a few pleasantries he introduced Mrs Fraser, who opened the entertainment with an overture on the piano, which was loudly applauded. Mr Rutland sang ‘ The outlaw,’ Miss Lee 1 The Kerry dance,’ Mr Edmonds ‘ I fear no foe, ! Miss Rutland ‘ To-morrow.’ Mrs Edmonds ‘ The land o’ the leal,’ and Mr Pilbrow : Norah darling.’ The songs were capitally rendered, and Miss Rutland and Miss Lee, whose first appearance it was, deserve credit for the manner in which they acquitted themselves. Miss Rutland was honored with a bouquet from the body of the hall. The Rev. J. Chaffers-Welsh. who was received with prolonged applause, «aid he felt great pleasure in being present that evening. He was afraid that dome of them had not forgiven his having gone away, but he would remind

these that if he had not Mr Hamilton would not been now amongst them. { However distant he might be, he would never forget Temuka or the many friends he had met there. He believed Temuka to he one of the loveliest spots

in New Zealand, and he was very glad that, owing to the spirit infused into the people by their leading paper, the place was progressing. Not long since they started a butter and cheese factory and a linseed factory, and now he learned with much pleasure that they were going to have a Mayor. They all knew that money makes the ‘Mayor’ go, but he had no doubt but that if they had the Mayor, they would get sufficient money to make him go. He wished to congratulate the ladies who had appeared as singers for the first time that evening. It was pleasant to think that as fast as t|ie old people were fading away, young people were vising up to fill their places. (Applause.) He would ask them to remember that though not here with them, he was still travelling hand in hand with them on the journey through life. They all had duties to God and man to perform, and he hoped they would all go hand in hand in performing them. He would remind them that if they wished their church tc prosper, they must put their shoulders to the wheel and their hands in their pockets, and assist Mr Hamilton to the best of their ability, (Cheers.) Miss McNair then sang ‘ Was it ray fault?’ very nicely, and this was followed by a pianoforte duet by Mrs Fraser and Miss Lee, which was applauded. Miss Bambridge sang ‘ The song for me ’ spendidly, and in respond to an encore gave ‘ Home they brought her warrior dead ’ with equal effect, retiring amidst great applause and a few splendid bouquets. She well deserved the recognition she met with, as she has a soft, fresh voice, which she uses with due regard to music, and deports herself on the stage with much grace and ease.

A most amusing reading was given by Mr Hamilton, entitled * Oil and stewed eels.’ It kept the audience in roars of laughter from beginning Jo end. Miss Langridge sang ‘Joy is a bird ’ very well, and Miss Bambridge again appeared and gave ‘ Evening bringeth my heart back to thee ’ with much effect.

The L -■ TV Gordon then addressed the meeting. He was glad so many of the various denominations were present that evening to tender a welcome to Rev. Mr Hamilton. He was sure they would all welcome him in the hearty manner in which they received |Mr Welsh. When listening to Mr Welsh extolling the beauties of Temuka he was reminded of an anecdote about a Scotch minister who had left a country district for a more populous one. Some time after the minister leturncd, and meeting one of his old parishioners said, if there wag a paradise on earth, it was that place, and the parishioner replied, ‘ Ah, but ye wad na’ stap when ye were in it,’ That was the way with Mr Welsh ; he would not stay in Temuka when he was in it. He wondered whether Mr Welsh now cast longing looks across the Opihi to Temuka. He would suggest to the congregation the necessity of assisting their minister in every way possible, and show him that things were as abundant here as the district was beautiful. The sinews of war were as necessary in church as in state. He believed there was something peculiar about this year, 1888. It was in 1583 that an English Queen raised John Wycliffe to the Primacy of England, and in 1883 Queen Victoria raised Ed ward Benson to the Primacy. Both were born in the same County t and Edward Benson would, doubtless, have the same difficulties to contend with as John Wycliffe had SCO years ago. The rev, gentleman then exhorted them all to join in the one cause of promoting the Christian religion. The Rev. T. Fee said he was glad to be present to congratulate them on having Mr Hamilton, and also Mr Hamilton on having such a congregation. He would them remind of the lesson in the reading about oil and stewed eels which Mr Hamilton had given them. They should give him all the assistance they could. There were once two lovers going along a lonely road, and a little bird was singing on a spray. The gentleman said to the lady that what the bird was saying was, ‘ I love you ; I love you Not far off there was another bird singing, and the lady said to the gentleman that what the bird said was ‘ Show it ; iiiow it.’ If they love! their minister they should show it in practical maimer.

Mr Edmonds sang a new song entitled ‘ The roll call’ very effectively, and Mr Rutland ‘ Will o’ the wisp,’ for which he was applauded. A quartette entitled ‘The village chorister’ was sung by Mrs Edmonds, Miss McNair, and Messrs Edmonds and Rutland, and wa§ certainly about tbo

best in in on the programme. They were rapturously encored. It should not be forgotten that Mr Rutland was conductor, an 1 that Mr D. L. Inwood presided at the piano, to whose excellent playing much <l’ the success of the entertainment was due. The Rev Mr Hamilton thanked them all most heartily for their presence that evening, and the performers, some of whom had come from a considerable distance. They all would agree that the concert passed off very well. He thanked his friends of the ministry for their presence and the part they had taken m the entertainment. He would always be ready to extend to the various denominations the right hand of fellowship. He looked upon ministers of religion as captains of different regiments, who when the roll call day came would all.assemble in one battalion and under one head. (Applause). He also thanked the ladies who hod provided the tea. It was so abundant that that there was more left than they knew what to do with. The children would meet next day m the public domain to have their treat. He would like it to be particularly understood that children of other denominations, no matter who they were, would be most heaitily welcomed, and he would be very glad to see them there. All the singers then joined in singing the ' National Anthem,’ and the performance came to a close.

The treat given to the children by the Rev. Mr Hamilton yesterday was greatly marred by the inclemency of the weather. The idea to hold it in the Park was abandoned, and as the Volunteer Hall was engaged, the public school was resorted to, as the only other place available. There were about 300 children present, and sports were held on the ground and in the school as well as circumstances would allow. A large number of prizes wore given away, and the youngsters enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Tea was provided for them, and they did it full justice, but sufficient to supply as many more was left.