ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH FESTIVAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1502, 6 May 1886, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR’S PARISH FESTIVAL.

Tlie annual parish festival in connection with the above Church was held in the Volnnt-or Hull, Temuka, last evening, ami took fcuo shape of a tea and entertainment. The Hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, aad every tiling passed off very successfully. Tea was placed on the tables at 6.30, Mr Lee catering, and his name is sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the spread. Everything was first-class, and gave entire satisfaction. There were five tables bountifully supplied with the choicest viands, amongst which was a bachelors’ table, provided solely by bachelors’, and presided over by the Misses Piibrow, Wood, Patching, Macdonald, and Rowe. The other tables were presided over by Mesdames Hamilton, Voyce, Gaze, Piibrow, Austin, Darny, AJderton and Windebank. Over 200 persons partook of tea, and after it was done full justice to the room was cleared for the entertainment. At about 7.30 o’clock the entertainment commenced with the Harvest Anthem “Ye shall dwell inthe land," which was excellently rendered by the choir under the conductorship of Mr Rutland. Mr Harrison kindly assisted and Mr Proudlock presided at the piano. Miss Ladbrooke next sang “ Castles in the air ” iu her usually fiuished style, and was recalled, but did not respond. The glee “ Who will o’er the Downs with me ” was rendered with much spirit by the choir. The Rev. Mr Hamilton, who occupied the chair, apologised for the absence oftheVen, Archdeacon Harper, who was unable to be present, owing to having to attend a conference in Christchurch. He called upon the Rev. Mr Preston to address the meeting. The Rev. Mr Preston, on coming forward, expressed regret at the inclemency of the weather, which no doubt militated against the success of the entertainment. Owing to the depressed condition of the country at present, great difficulty was experienced in raising Church funds. Such gatherings as the present, and the gift auction which was to follow, were calculated to units the congregation together, and to revive their zeal in Church rna'tars. He thought it a pity ihat the parish had been divided, at all events until it was out of debt, and he expressed a hope that their efforts would meet vvi h financial success.

Tho glee “The Dawn of Day” was beautifully rendered by the choir, and Mrs Hargreaves followed with the song “Yesterday,” which she sang in her usually highly-finished style. The Rov. T. Jasper-Smyth, of Pleasant Point, who was received with imm»n.«e applause, next addressed the meeting. After a few extremely humorous remarks, which completely convulsed the audience, the rev. gentleman referred to the depression, and expressed a hope that they had turned the corner of if. There was one thing they must have, and that was Cheap Money. He did not think it at all inconsistent with the position of a clergyman to refer to these matters, and tire fact was that there was a Committee connected with the Church silting at Christchurch at present (0 inquire into the depressed condition of the diocese. The Cheap Money must come. There was Mr Twotney with his Bmk Scheme and he with his Cheap Money Scheme (laughter)—they were the only remedies. They could not stand paving 10 or 12 per cent interest. He liked gift auctions, and trusted they would be liberal in giving, as it was the scriptural way of contributing towards the Church. They ought to bn encouraged by tire Presbyterians of Pleasant Point, who had raised £2OO by a gift auction. (Applause.) The glee “ Ob, Hush Thee, my Baby,” having been splendidly rendered,

The Rev. Mr Hamilton addressed the meeting. Ho agreed with Mr Preston in what he said about dividing the parish. It ought not to have been divided until the debt on the Parsonage had been paid. The congregation had since the division paid off £219 of the debt, besides paying their Minister, and he considered they bad not done so bad. They wanted to wipe off this debt, and the gift auction was got up to do so, and he hoped it would be a success. He saw no reason why they could not pay the debt soon. During the first year of his Incumbency they raised £6OO, and as their yearly expenditure is only £430 they ought to be out of debt soon. The Bazaar would open at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), and there would be a sale of live stock at Mr Gray’s at 3 p.m. Mr Hamilton also referred to the vi»it of *he rev. missioners, who had come out from Eng'and on mission work. They would be in the district in three weeks’ j time, one of lh?m going to Geraldine and the other coming to Temuka. The characteristic 1

of their cervices was quietness, and they bad been extremely successful. After singing the Easter Anthem “ Now is Christ Risen from the Dead,” the proceedings came to a close by all joining in singing “ God Save the Queen.”