ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1537, 8 January 1887, Page 2

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE.

A tea gathering and lime light exhibition in connection with this church was held in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening last. The Hall which is a very spacious one, proved an. excellent place for holding such a gather* ing. Being so large and so well ventilated, it wts deliriously cool in spite of the extremely hot weather prevailing. Owing. to an oversight as to advertising the -4 festival, and perhaps to the; fact that the '" public have almost had a surfeit of entertainments and Christmas fare at this 1 season of the year, the attendance at the ■ tea was not so large as it was anticipated it would be. The tables, of which there were four large ones, were most liberally supplied with all the tempting delicacies, of the season. They were also beautifully arranged and decorated with flowers, etc. The following ladies presided; Mrs Fish and Misses Fish (2); Mrs W. Fostlethwaite, Miss Woollcombe and Misses Preston (3); Miss Foster and Misses Slack (3). The bachelor's table was presided over by the Misses Hawke (2) r Misses Bosswell (2), and Miss DunloDjA After tea the tables were cleared aiSgPf and seats arranged in a semicircle, when Mr Thomas Crook, of Christchurch, «• i hibited a magnificent selection of lime* j light views. The attendance at this part of the entertainment was considerably ' larger, the body of the Hall being wejl filled. The views were shown npon the side of the Hull, an excellent arrange* i ment which allowed everybody to obtain a good view. A very large number of • pictures were shown, many of them being taken by Mr Crook himself. The first was that of the Rangitata Bridge, then Akaroa, and some of. the most beautiful scenery around Chriutchurch. From ' there the aedieuce were taken to the Hot . ' Lakes district of the North Island. i lovely Pink and White Terraces with" their gorgeous and picturesque surround* inga before they were devastated by the eruption of Mount Tarnwera were shown and admirably described. The sane [ district and surroundings after the erup« tion were also placed upon, the canvass when the havoc that has been wrought in the wcnderland of jNew Zealand waa vividly and forcibly brought before the ' ninds of the audience. Some magnificent I views of the seat of the eruption, some of f which had been obtained under especially , favorable circumstances, were also ex- , hibited. The portrait of Kiug Tawhaio with his handsome wife were also very ' interesting. From Now Zealand the audience were taken Ho England, and 1 some Bplendid views of Windsor Castle, ■ inside and out were shown, St George's i chapel both from outside and inside, with i the Queen's pew, the Queen's private garden ami state rooratu, the Waterloo , chamber, the throne Room, the Queen's dining room, and |the white and green drawing rooms were well pourtrayed 1 and equally well described. Portraits of the Queen and Prince Consort when young, were also shown, and urith , portraits of the Prince and Princess of ■ Wales patriotically cheered, A number of pieces of statuary were also shown and #- greatly admired. A short com story for 4* the amusement of the younger portion W also illustrated and several comic inos dents depicted., Pri<>r to the last por> trait being shown Mt H. W. Moore addressed those present. He said he hoped the gathering of that evening would, in the future, be an annual one. He thought they should give a very hearty vote of thanks to Mir Crook for his courtesy in coming to Geraldine and giving them such a pleasing enter* tainmen t. There was only one thing that could mar their happiness that evening, and that was the absence of the Inoum- . bent, Mr Preston. Everybody felt very deeply for him in bis illness, and every* body was anxious .to have him back again amongst them, and he hoped that before long they would see bim again working amongst them with his usual health and strength. Mr Moore also thanked the band, who had kindly played fter them that evening gratuitously. He intimated that those who felt disposed to give a donation for their benefit would have an opportunity of doing so as they passed out. A vote of thanks to Mr Crook was carried by acclamation as also was a vote to the band. The portrait of Her Majesty Queen Victoria was exhibited. The audience rose to their feet while the band played the National Anthem, and in response to a call from Mr Moore three h"T-'y cheers were given for Her Majesty. An excellent portrait of Mr Crook was then exhibited, the band playing "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow" as the people left. The ex* cellent playing of the Geraldine Brass Band, who, under Bandmaster T. Sher* ratt, rendered several selections during [ the evening, both inside and out of the .hall, was much enjoyed.