'98 Conversazione.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 12, 13 August 1898, Page 3

'98 Conversazione.

The longtalked of '98 Centenary Con- , versazione came oft on Thursday evening,' the Oddfellows' Hall being packed to the doors. The hall was decked with flags and evergreens with " Who fears to speak of '98 " in large letters above the stage. On the stage were the Keys. G. Barclay, Regnault, Cleary and Goggan, His Worship the Mayor, Mr A. E. Barclay and* several others. The performance was opened with a splendidly executed overture by an orchestra consisting of Misses A. Sinclair, M. Dowle and Mr W. Meyers (violin), Messrs E. -Goldstone (cornet), -C. J. Goldstone . (cello) and C. Collins (piano). Father Regnault called on the Eev. G. Barclay to take the chair. The Rev. G. Barclay in taking the position thanked them for the honour conferred upon him, but said that when he ; looked at the vast assemblage of various \ nationalities and creeds his heart sank \ to his boots. They knew his function — ' that of a chairman — to keep order to put -> before them the various speakers and jj performers and himself to say little or J nothing. He was glad to see so many present to celebrate an event upon which many looked back with great interest. They were not there on a distinctly reiigious basis. JMany Scotchmen and [Continued on fifth page.]