BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 25 September 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

"We had a wind-up of our Mutual Improvement Society on Monday evening last, on which occasion the (Society gave a benefit for the Benevolent Institution. . The Eev. Dr. Copland was invited to take the chair, and, as an introduction, gave a short address on the. advantages of mutual improvement societies, and dwelt forcibly on the duty of benevolence, more especially on- that particular institution whose claims we were met that evening to promote. The programme for the -eyening was rather a ,noyel one; perhaps one of a more varied character would have been preferred. The programme consisted of essays delivered by members of the Society in session, i and as the President (Mr.' M'Lslland) was first in order, he would call upon that gentleman, who gave the " Origin of Names." Then followed Mr. John Carey on " Flattery," which was highly applauded. After the delivery of this essay, two little girls, Ellen Clarke and Victoria Morris, sang very prettily, "O say, busy bee." The next essay was by Mr. Morris,- on " Matrimonial Snarls," which elicited hearty plaudits. Then followed ihe essay of the evening,, by Mr. A. B. \ Matthews, on " Charity," — well got I up, but more fitted for the pulpit than for a meeting of that kind. Then followed a song by two sisters, Annie and ; Esther Silk, the ""White Squall," and j which was sung in good time. The last essay was by Mr. E. M. Manuel, on " Mining "" — an excellent subject, and highly interesting to those who understood it. Mr. M'Lelland claimed the privilege of introducing to the meeting Mr. Jbhn Copland, a brother to their respected friend and Minister, Dr. Cop- | land. He (Mr. M'Lelland) was sure i they were all glad to see him. He understood that Mr. Copland was going to practice as an attorney at Lawrence ; and if his law was as sound as his brother's gospel, he had no doubt that he would meet with support. „ i. Mr. Copland was not sure that lie would come quite up to the estimate that was formed of him ; but there should be nothing wanting on his part; aiid at that late hour he would not inflict upon the meeting a speech, but simply propose a vote of thanks to the essayists fox* the evening's entertainment, which was acknowledged by Mr. M'Lelland. A cordial vote of thanks was proposed to the Eev. Dr. Copland for presiding, which Avas suitably acknowledged. Mr. M'Lelland proposed " The Press." It was quite a treat to have a member of the Fourth Estate present with them. They were a " great people," but it sometimes happened that the press gave them the "cold shoulder." Mr. Matthews of the " Press " replied. This brought the meeting to a close. Owins: io the unavoidable absence of Mr. "W. D. Morison and Mr. J. Cormack on important business matters, two of the best essays were not read. There was but a small attendance, and I fear the excellent institution on whose behalf the meeting was got up will noi be largely benefited by the results. On this occasion we cannot blame the weather; it was all that could be desired.