WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2044, 10 May 1890, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The members of the above' community having decided upon making an unusually heavy effort to reduce the circuit debt elected that it should take the novel form to Temuka of a forest bazaar, and cake and apron fair, followed by a gift auction. For the occasion the Volunteer Hall and Drillshed were engaged, THE 3TOBEBT BAZAAB, which was opened on Thursday afternoon, was held in the latter building, which was very tastefully arranged! Cabbage trees, pines, and even fairsized bluegums were disposed in such a fashion that an avenue was formed all around the building, the entrances to which were sheltered by evergreens gracefully disposed, In the centre of the building were the several stalls, which, being backed up by foliage, preseated a very attractive appearance, especially towards evening, when colored lanterns and so forth served to throw a mystic light upon the scene. The stalls were presided over bv Mesdames Bunn, Holwell (3), Prattley, White, J. Wright, and Mackay, assisted'by the Misses Xoung and Brown. They displayed an'unusually choice collection of useful and fancy goods, which were apparently easily disposed of. The somewhat dull weather militated ; against the attendance, which was not large. Those present, however, were evidently bent upon business, and the financial result of the opening day will doubtless be successful. A novelty in its way was a gigantic wedding cake, or rather, an imitation of one, that served the purpose of a bran pie. This attracted a good deal of attention from the juveniles, who all seemed eager/ to explore the mysteries of its capacious depths, access to which was gained by a small aperture in the Among the busy workers at the bazaar; Messrs E. Brown, W. and J. Holwell, E. Williams, and J , Longstou were conspicuous, while Messrs J. W. and H. M. Miles exercised a sort of general supervision. To Mr Harrison was entrusted the management of

THE COITDEBT, which was held in the Tolunteer Hall on Thursday evening. It is needless to say that in his hands the details were all carefully attended to. The ■ ! stage was neatly arranged, the piano in good tone, and the comforts of the performers and audience duly cared for. The programme though some- ' what long was carefully selected, the > music being if anything a little too high class for the audience at large. No exception could be taken to its rendition, which was really good, and the audience were introduced to several new performers, who will be heartily welcomed if they appear again upon a Temuka stage. The. programme commenced with an overture upon the piano, “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” played by Mrs Poster, whose skilful touch and excellent taste did full justice to a difficult but pleasing composition. Mr E. Whitehead’s powerful voice was heard to advantage in “ The Man of War,” while Miss Foster, of Timaru, sang with much expression “Fiddle This young lady possesses a voice of good range and sweetness, and although evidently a trifle nervous made such a fayorable impression that an encore was demanded, but not sponded to. Miss Lily Brown and Master Cecil Brown, neither in their teens, played a violin duet “ Gwendo- v hue,’ exhibiting much natural taste* 1 hey were heartily applauded Mrs Har-

rison, although now appearing so seldom before an audience, has evidently not neglected her singing, for she was never heard to better advantage than m her rendering of “Dear Heart,” a song to which she gave the due pathos. .Mr W. Smith, sang well “ The Friar of Orders (3-rey,” $ very dififcnlf composition |or go young a performer, but rendered easier by his posessiug a voice of exceptional power. In the second part he sang “The Outlaw,” He received well merited applause for each. “ I Cannot Sing the Old Songs ” was the pretty selection of Miss Fmetta Guy, whoseexceptionally sweet, although not powerful, voice did justice fc9~£p e J°ng, ami hig|i|y pleased her audiepce. An enpore was' asked for, given. Mr Gilchrist sang The Englishman ” in jus usual bold style, and in response to an enqore ,Ihe Sea is England’s G|qry.” Jn the second part he sang “ The Death of Nelson.” The first part of the programme concluded with “ A Message from the King.” sung by Mr Musker, of Timaru. His execution of the song was good, but his position being somewjiat too far back upon the “ stage marred its effect.' After m interval of five minutes Mrs Foster again contributed a pianoforte selecJaon, on this occasion phoosjag Weber’s ; Gbpron.- |lec execution of it Was faultless. Mr Needham, another new performer, “ 'lhe Song that Reached Hj ftnd sub-

sequently “ When Other Lips,” from Maritana. Both were well received. Miss Foster again pleased her audience with “ Gates of the West,” and Miss Lily Brown and Master Cecil Brown displayed considerable vocal ability in the duet “ List to the Convent Bells.” Mr E. Whitehead’s second song was “ I Pear no Poe,” after which Mrs Harrison contributed the best item of the evening, “Ora pro Nobis, which was faultlessly sung. Miss Guy was heard to great advantage in the sacred song, “He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye,” and her appearance upon the stage will always be welcome to all lovers of ballad or sacred music. The concert concluded with “ God Save the Queen,” by the performers, the audience joining. The accompaniments were well played by Miss Poster, and Messrs Harrison and Proudlock. XHB CAXE AND APE ON FAIB

was held on Friday afternoon and evening, when the balance of goods unsold from the bazaar were also displayed for sale. A stall of decidedly useful character was stationed near the main entrance, and upon it were all kinds of household requirements in the shape of floor, cheese and such like' commodities. A lot of neatlyconstructed brackets, the gift of Mr George Prattley, elicited some little attention, and some twisted straw mats;- made by Mr Metson, were readily sold.. Of these there were not half enough. Unfortunately for the fair stall holders the police prohidited every description of raffle or art union, and this prevented the disposal of abme of the more valuable of the many fancy articles. Of course the main feature of the display was the apron show, Of these there were plenty, from the substantial cooking apron to a muslin apology. Cakes also were to be found in infinite variety, from the festive Sally Lnnn to the- surfeiting double-iced wedding cake? The fair was kept open until between ten and eleven o’clock, and was visited by a number of persons. The', unsettled weather, however had evidently kept away a lot of- country visitors. To-day there will be a gift auction, which will commence' shortly after four o’clock, Mr = Maslin being the auctioneer. An unusually large supply of live and dead stock is promised and farmers who have not yet brought in their donations are requested to do so. Ducks, geese, and fowls of all kinds will be there, together with fowl wheat, potatoes, and so forth, all of which should have ready sale. Some of the articles remaining over from the bazaar will also be submitted. The festival, although it has not attracted as large an attendance

as might have been expected, will give fairly good financial results, and the i burden of debt upon the church • will be, considerably lightened. The church officers desire to tender their thanks to all workers, particularly to those laides who have devoted so much attention to the supplying of the '^stalls.