PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2574, 28 October 1893, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH GERALDINE.

The Primitive Methodist Church Anniversry on Thursday evening, in the Volunteer Hall, was successful in every respect. At 6.80 p.m. a tea meeting was held, the attendance at which was very numerous. The tables were presided over by Mesdames Amos Sherratt, T. Sherratt, E. Logan, Taggart, Maslin, Sutherland, Bowkett, Keunington and Winefield, assisted by a staff of young ladies. After the tabled were cleared the cantata " Under the palms," which had not been produced in Geraldine for about six years, waß gone through by a stroug choir, composed of members from the Beveral church choirs and Sunday school children in Geraldine. Mr Thomas Sherratt had command, and deserves credit for the splendid production of the cantata. Miss Fish presided at the piano and Miss Alice Fish at the organ. The other instruments in use were violins, Messrs Amos Sherratt and E. Robson ; and cornet, Mr E. Heatley. The platform was arranged with a number of large cabbage trees, as the best substitute obtainable for being under the palms. The children were placed in front of the stage and the adults at the back, and the scene was quite unique in its way. The parts in the cantata were taken by Misses Andrews, Dunlop, McKenzie, E. Sherratt and F. (jibson, and Messrs H. W. Moore, Calder, E. Logan, C. E. Sherratt, J. Colbert and W. Maslin. Of the lady singers Miss Andrews had the bulk of the work, and had a difficult range, having to take high soprano as well as very low alto parts. Miss Dunlop's voice was very suitable for her parts, and her singing showed careful training. The gem piece of the cantata was decidedly the duet by Misses McKenzie and Andrews, which well deserved the loud applause which followed it. It would take too much space to particularize every item in the cantata, but we can safely say to the credit of the conductor that every pare fitted in nicely and the harmony was exceptionally good. At the conclusion of the cantata Mr W. S. Maslin, who occupied the chair in the abseace of Mr E. G. Wright, called upon the Rev. Mr Wood, who proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies that supplied the tea, Mr T. Sherratt for training and leading the choir, to the Misses Fish, and to the choirs generally. He considered the cantata was very creditably performed and would compare favorably with any he had heard. The Rev. Mr Hindea seconded the vote of thanks. A letter of apology for non-attendance waß read from the Rev. Mr Preston, who had that evening just returned from Christchurch. The Rev. Mr Todd concluded the anniversary meeting by pronouncing the benediction.