PORT ALBERT.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 183, 3 February 1893, Page 3

PORT ALBERT.

[from ottr own correspondent]. The annual meeting of the shareholders in the Temperance Hall was held in the Hall on Thursday, January 19th, Mr W. Armitage in the chair. The Secretary and Treasurer’s, Report not being ready it was deferred till the next meeting to be held shortly. The following were elected Trustees in place of those retiring : —Miss J. Shepherd, Messrs P. Beecroft, and J. A. Gubb. Mr Hartnell haring resigned the position of Hall keeper, Mr Piper was elected to the position. The Mutual Improvement Class met on Saturday, January 21st, and in spite of the wet weather there was a good turn out of members and friends, and the usual programme of songs, speeches, etc., was gone through with credit to the performers and pleasure to the listeners. The School committee requested the Class to give one of their open nights on February 4th as they intend holding their school Treat on that day,' as a great number will be there who would like to stop in the evening, and it was decided to acoede to their request. On Tuesday, January 24th the annual Treat in connection with the Port Albert Band of Hope was hold in Mr J. Beecroft’s grounds, which are admirably adopted for such gatherings, there being plenty of good shelter under the willow trees and plenty of room for all sorts of games. There was quite a large gathering; and here I might state that Port Albert is getting quite celebrated for the number of visitors that flock up here during the holidays. The spread was an excellent one and reflected great credit on the ladies who had charge cf the catering. After tea whilst some were busy cleaning away the remains of the eatables, the remainder joined in the games, which were varied enough to suit all tastes. About seven o’clock a stare was made for the hall where a. good programme was prepared, the opening item being a speech by the chairman, Mr Shepherd, which was very good and to the point; next followed a duett by Misses Sandin and George, accompanied by Mrs D. Beecroft; song, Miss Plummer (this young lady has a sweet voice and was deservedly encored, which she kindly responded to) ; song, Miss May Dudding. The chairman then called on Mr Reid for a speech, but that gentleman declined, as he was totally unprepared ; Instrumental music by Messrs Beecroft and company ; Recitation, (on etiquette) Mr Bridge; Recitation, May Brokenshire, this young lady bids fair to become a good reciter with practice; song, ‘ Daddy,’ Miss Plummer—this was the geua of the evening ; recitation, Percy Grice. This being the last item the company joined in singing the Doxology, which brought a very interesting gathering to a close. Wellsford and Port Albert met for the first time this season on Saturday, January 21st, to play a cricket match, but unfortunately the rain came down in torrents just as the visitors completed their innings which the play for a time. Upon clear-

ing up for a little the home team made a start with their innings, but it seemed as if the rain had made up its mind to stop the play, for down it came again harder than ever, so it was decided to postpone the match until 11th February. The visitors run up the respectable score of forty-eight of which S. Armitage contributed 22 for much of which the field were somewhat responsible. Port Albert have one wicket down for eight runs; S. Gubb bowled well for Port Albert, securing eight out of ten wickets.