THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEA MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 387, 19 December 1866, Page 2

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEA MEETING.

A Tea Meeting and Amateur Concert took place last night, in thu Supreme Court -house, in aid of the Building Fund of the Church of England, and certainly there was such an assemblage as only congregates on special occabions. There wew '<-c upwar Is of ihveo hu.id eJ Indies and gentleman present, comprising the 6Hto of the town and piominerit raembeis of the mo*t reputable portion of the comiimiliiT, and ih- object of the reunion being so praiseworthy it was gratifying to sec so lur^e a nu nbor of the fair sex bu*ily engaged in the arrangements, and the i desire mnnifi sfced by everybody present to render all the n-sistance in llieir |io ver to ensuiv success. Ce.-lainly their efib.-ts wove no in vain, and the reaultmu t have been highly pleasing to all wao took part in it as w 11 a-i it evidently was to I hose who had the pleaMire of being present. The nff'.iir was in overv respect an unqualified success. The interior of the Court House — which we may mention is admir ibly udapte 1 for such oceu-ions — was tastefully decorated with evergreens and the flans of all nations, and looke.l far more comfortub'e than wo hav<i ever seen it on any former occasion. The tea commenced at about 7 o'clock, and displayed the excellent taste of the ladies who presided. Every deliciey in the shave of sweets, and virioua very beautiful ornaments, aided to tjie dazzling brilliancy of the scene. There were ten tables, provided by the following ladies: — Mrs und Miss Beswick, Mrs Hn-vey, Mrs Preshaw, Mrs Winter, Mis Rochfnrb, Mrs CLirke, anl Mrs Chantry Harris, who, however, wa- absent, in consequence of indisposi.ion, her table being most efficient y presided over by Mrs Sio-iehouse. We are sure that we are but „ expressing the seniimentof all who were present w'len we say that the ladies \vh > dispensed the "good things'' acquitted themselves in a most pr dsowo -thy m inner, an I lelt nothing to be desired. During tin- time the repast was going on, the proGo, dings were enlivened by some excellent music; and the ttbles hiving been elenred nnd removed, the Key. Arebilea-on Haider intimated (hut he felt great pleasure in being present at so large an assemblage, as, while the amusements were highly ratio ml there was a higher motive h\ view ai the same time, lie regretted thai there woul i neccs--anlybo a sliijlii alteration in the programme, Mr South h-iving been suddenly failed awa\ to .Nelson, but he believed that his pla';>' would be ablj' sustained by s-ome gentleman volunteer. The concert was th-n commenced the opening glee, " Now is the Month of Maying," being capitally sum by the choir. This nas follow Oil by Mr C. G. Smith, who B'iug "My Sister dear very nice v. After anoLner glee, " Bvoatho Sot't, ye Winds," Mrs Crai^ sung " I'll -re's* a Paih by the River," accompanying hcvself on the piano, and receive I the rapturou- applause of the audience. Mr Sale and Mr C. G. Smitli then .-ang the duct " All's Well,"' and the fiist part of the programme ter.ninate I with Thomas' glee of " Tho men of Harleeh." The second part was even nu-re successful than the Jirnt, if we may judge by fie amount of applause bestowe I upon it. Mr Sale sang "The breaking of the day" capiially, a<~d deservedly received the warmest mai.ift^tations of approval and an encore from the assemblage ; Jlrs Craig and Mr C. Or. Smith wore equally -ucecs*fui in their rendering of the wellki.own duel, '• What aro the wild waics saying," and tho glee '"Lightly Tival" was admirably given by the choir. Mr John White kindly volunteered his services, and enlivened the programme by giving a coinio melody (an 'orriblc Talo") in a style that excited tlie risible facu.tiej of everybody, and Captain Hepburn also kindly displayed his vocal powers, to cou-<iderablo ud»anta^e. Tlie piMgnmme was concluded with ihj National Antneni, previous to which the Rev. Archdeacon Harper thanked the assemblage for their presence, and said ho hoped all h.id enjoyed themselves. Ho offered his especial thanks to the ladies and gentlemen ot tho choir, ani the ladies who had provided the tables, and ho trusted that tho meeting on that occasion would but initiute many of a similar kind in Hokitika, in the future.