ARATAPU WESLEYAN ANNIVERSARY

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 175, 9 December 1892, Page 2

ARA TAPU WESLEYAN ANNIVERSARY

The Animal Tea and Concert in connection with the Wesleyan Church at Aratapu was held on Friday evening last, and was a most pronounced success in every way. The Committee of ladies who had the affair in hand worked well and successfully. The collectors gathered about £‘2o indoueuaent of the sale of tickets, .... 1 - Lo.li was tilled to crowding so that seats had to be placed in the aisle to accommodate those present. The cash taken at the door amounted to £9 19s 3d, besides which several passed in with tickets purchased elsewhere. The ladies had the tables laid out and the Hall decorated in the best of style and the arrangements seemed very complete. A large number partook ox tea, the tables being tilled more than once. Several of those present came long distances ; Redhill, Arapohue, Flaxmill and Hargaviile were each well represented. The Concert began as soon as the Hall could be rearranged after the tea. Eev. Joseph Blight occupied the chair and. introduced the several performers to the audience. In his opening remarks he expressed pleasure at seeing so many present and explained that the ordinary collections did not provide sufficient funds for the expenses of the Circuit and so it was necessary to hold these annual soirees to clear up the debt remaining. The programme which followed met with genuine approval and has been generally pronounced the best put before the public fir a very long time past. Pianoforte solos were rendered by Misses Mitchell and Dargaville ‘ Recitations by Messrs A. E. Harding and C. Elliott; Duetts by Mesdamesßlack and Bassett, Misses E. Corkill and G. Stall worthy and Misses Anderson ; Songs by Misses Bimmer, Simpkin, Mrs M. Harding, Messrs H. Buchanan, Edmonds, Harrison, 33adding and Marcroft. The accompaniments were played by Miss Mitchell, Mrs Wylie, Mr T. ' Campbell Jind a lady with whose name we j

are unacquainted. Miss Rummer was loudly encored at each appearance and kindly re sponded on each occasion. Mrs Harding was also much appreciated and responded to an encore. Ail in fact did their parts well and received hearty applause. Mr W. T. Stevens proposed a vote of thanks to all those who had helped to make the annual gathering a success ; to the ladies who prepared the tables, to Mr "Vi ;ri who kindly undertook the decorations and to those who had assisted in the concert. Mr T Kitching seconded the motion. The chairman in puttingthe motion referred specially to the willing co-operation of those who did not belong to the church. The thanks were heartily given and the meeting was brought to a close by the singing of the National anthem.