GOOD TEMPLARS' ENTERTAINMENT. Presentation to Miss M. A. Knox.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 505, 14 August 1875, Page 2

GOOD TEMPLARS' ENTERTAINMENT. Presentation to Miss M. A. Knox.

An exoailent and varied entertainment was given under the auspices of the Hope of Waikato Lodge of Good Templars, in the Court-house, Hamilton, on Thursday evening. The affair was got up as * firewall reunion in honor of Miss M. A. Knox, who leaves Hamilton for Auckland, about Tuesday next .This lady came up from Auckland about four months ago, specially deputed by the Grand Lodge t > organize and extend the Order of Good Teinplary in the Waikato, and the result of her labors shews that Mr Speight, the R.W.GT., made an excellent and wise selection. Unde» her superintendence Good Templary has made rapid stnJes in tha Waikato, Loiges having been e«tabhshe i at Hamilton and Cambridge, both of which are flourishing to an extent beyond the anticipitions of the most sanguine, and it is understood that requisitions are being got ud for similar institutions at Ngaruiwauiaand Alexandra Probably we may shortly see the order extended to every settlement of any consequence in the Wuikato. During her residence in the district \li« Knox has refused any remuneration fur her services, which have often been of a most arduous and trying nature, involving long journeys in inolement weather, an'i much personal iuoonrenience and sacrifice of time. Under these circumstances, the Hope of Waikato Lodge determined upon giving her a farewell entercainoient, unJ, about a week ago. preparations were I egun, an Entertainment Committee having been appointed for that purpose at one of the weekly meetings of the Lodge. The Committee were Messrs J. Knox, Jones, J. B mer, C. j Ljn^bjttoin, Boy, Good, Montrose, Madden, and O'Neil. Mr Knox was elected Chairman and General Manager, Mr Montrosa, Stage Manager, and Mr O'Neil, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Bauer took elurge of the musical arrangement*, ' Mr Kn<>x and Mr O'Neill of the reidings and recitations, Mr Lon^bottoai of the mechanical : arrangements, and Mr Montroae of the dramatic p>rttuu of the entertainment. The sketch of "£*rdell v Pickwick" from Dickon's "Pickwick Papers" was selected, and the first rehearsal was held on Saturday •rening. W. N. Searancke, E*q., B. M., on being applied to, co»rteou*lv yrautel theme of the Cmrt-house, and consented to preside on the occasion We understand that the cast for " BaHell v Pickwick" was hurriedly made, and only three rah-ia-sals were held, the tine not permitting of more. Oa Thursday evening, thr<3e quarters of an hour before the tiiue fixed f.>r the commencement of theenterrainmenr, an audience commenced to gather, and by halfpast seven every inch of space m the Court-house was densely packed. Indeed, notwithstanding the excellent arrangements made with the view of increasing the accommodation, many were unabio to obtain admittance, and we observed a number of juveniles stacked up in t'ers against the walls in precarious portions, on the bsik-case and shelving. Around the sides of th* benoh, jury and witness boxea, ani in fact in every available space, the audience was cr*rnmed. Such an audience never before assembled in Hamilton. The officers of the Hope of Waikato Lod*e appeared in regalia on the bench behind 'he Chairman. Tha building I eing crowded long bef>re 8 o'clock, the hour appointed for commencing, the proceedings were opened about; twenty minntes before that tim*. by W. N. Senrancke Esq , taking the chair, which was the signal for hearty applause. The Chairman said, though not a Good Templar himself, he had cheerfully consented to take the chair on the present occasion. He recognised that the establishment of the Ordor in the Wai kato had been the means of effecting an immense deal of good. No words that he could use would describe the benefits it had conferred on the community, and the improvement affected in the moral tone of tne district, The present entertainment was given in honor of Miss Mary Knox, a young lady who arrived here about four months ago, hiving been specially deputed by th* Good Templars of Auckland to org<»'dz9 br inches of the Order in this district. With the assistance of one Good Templar then resident in Hamilton (Mr L)ngbottotn),'she opened a Lodge which then numbered only niuetueu m o mb;?r3. From this Bu>all begiuuing the Lodge hul gr>wn rapidly until it now numbered fourteen female adult, and 114 male adult members, exclusive of 19 on probation. At Cambridge a Lodge had been opened now numbering abr>ut 30 insinbers. There mmt be some good in an Order wh:ch had attaiued such proportions in the district, and which had p-.idueed such marked effects upjn the community. He was informed that Miss Kn >x ha 1 been offerel remuneration for her services, but had refused to accept anything. The GooJ Templars, however, had got up the, present entertainment, and he understood that during the evening an address, accompanied by a gold watch, would be presented to her (applause). The entertainineut was then opened with an overture on the piinoforte (Lucrezia Borgia), by Miss Crawford, who, with Mr Dunvors ani Master Crawford, kindly assiated. Miss Crawford pliyel with gicat skill and taste, maintaining the high r putation she baa already earned as a teacher of /ooal an I instrumental music. Then fallowed a glee (Hark Apollo), by Messrs Buuer, Danvers, and Master Crawford, which was given with good effect, the voices harmonizing well. Mr B. Young then sang, " That's where you make the mistake," in good style. The song created mnch amusement, and elicited hearty applause Mr Marshall recited Macaulev's " Battle of the League," with considerable elocutionary and dramatic power, and came in lor a share of approbation. The song, "Hark, I hear an anuel I sinking," by Mr Bauer was sung in excellent voice with correct taste. \ reading from H ins Breitmann followed. Mr Mylrae then gave the song and recitative, "The Irish Schoolmaster." His humourous rendering of this favorite skcti'h threw the audience into convulsions of laughter. "Erin my couutry," was sung by Mr H»rkms, in a rich melodious voice. An instru mental duet (flute aud pianoforte) was rendered with tasteful and finished effect, by Mr Danvers and Mi3S Crawford. Mr Steward then saug "'Tea Minutes too late," wiih churraing naivette, in spite of a trace of nervousness which he exhibited at the start, but easily conquered. The song " Forgot Thee," was sung by Mr. Bauer in fine voice, followed by another reading from Huns Breitmann. The " Gin Fiend," was sung by Mr Mylrae, and appeared to find considerable favour with the Go -d Templar portion of the audience, who mustered in considerable force. Mr A. Young recited "Virginius" with good eifeot It had been arranged that Mr Marshall should give some specimens of his skill as a ventriloquist at this stage, but this being impossible, owing to the crowded condition of the room, and tho absence of other conveniences, he subs' ituted tne nautical ballad "Tom Bjwliug." Mr Montroso then file! up a gap in the programme by singing " Time enough for that, cay« I," »n old song which secured an encore. If he had disappeared at this stage satisfied with his ch-aply earned laurels he would hive eheivn considerable tact. But like a good many other people who never know how t:> stop when they have made a poi&t, he responded to the encore with an execrahi© ditty called ' Haggarty's leather breeches " It would appear that the first song had exhiusted bis extremely limited report /ire, and the enoore was therefore a piece of cutti q irony which only served to bring out his wretched lack of resources. AYe trust this gentleman will for the future take himself and his vulgar " leather bn-eches " into the obscurity they deserve. If, was a great relief to the audienoe when Mr Harkins followed with "Juanita," which, though sung without the chorus, was deservedly applauded. Mr Madden, then oirne forward, and said :— Mr Chairu.au, ladies, and gentlemen, on account of my occupying the poaitioa of Worthy Chief of the " tlope of W»ukato" Lorlgc, it has iallen to inj lot lo h.vve tho pleasure of presenti'ig the accompanying Address und Testimonial to Miss Knox. I have been requested to state that if any persons presont ar<> desirous to see the watch after this entertainment is concluded, thay will be we.onnia to ioepect it. 1 have also to say that the addres? which I am about to read is only a copy, tho ori^intl ia to bo handsomely illuminated Odtul'uun ii Au -kland, and wh^n " finish *»» will bu given t > Mib» Kn -x (Mr Madden then road tb.3 ad^lreii, of which the following it a. c >py) :—: —

To Sister Mary A. Knot, B.P.D. W.C.T.—Dear Madam ami Sister,— We the oflijers and members of the lLve of Waikabo Lodge, 1.0G.T.. Hamilton, in presenting you with this arldres3 •ndtheaocompanying Testimonitl, desire toconvpy to you our grateful recognition of your untiring zeal and devotion in the establishment and furtherance of tlio oau«e of Good Teraplary in the Waikato, and the high esteem we entertain for your private character and worth. We could not allow you to depart from amongst us without assuring you that we have behold with unmixed pleasure your carea.- of usefulness, and the good you have been the means of accomplishing, by the founding and fostering of Q-ood TempUr Lodge 3 in this district. While regretting your approaching departure from our mid«fc, we beg to assure you tha*. wherever your future lot may be cast, our warmest esteem, and our heartiest wUhe», far your happiness and welfare, will go with you. Signed on bahalf of the Hope of Waikato Lodge 1.0 G T. by Charles E. Madden, WO.T ; Cha-les O. Mont rose, R.W.G.LD. ; Lewis O'Neill, P. W.C.T. ; M. Montrose, W.VT., and the rest of the officers of the Hope, of W*ikuto Lodge. Dated at Hamil'on, Waikato, the 12th day of Au^ut, 1873 Mr Madden continued :— I hare, therefore, Sister Knox, much pleasure in presenting you. with this gold watch, and hope that ysu mar live long to wear it, and wkeneraryou look atit to see the timr, that you will not forget the " Hope of W«ik»to" L.dga. Mis* Knox aaid,— BrotUcr Madden.—Sisters and Brothers, — Isincerely thank you for your token ef esteem, but I do not feel that I hare dove anything to deserve it, what 1 hive done I have been well rewarded for, when I look around and see the result of my lobors. But this work has not been done by me clone, the members themselves hire worked hard and deserve their share of credit. Some years ago when I resided in Himilton, I remember one particular Sunday, having witnessed some distressing splits can ->ed by drink, and tha f . evening in the church of the Row Mr Davis, I prayed earnestly that God would send something into the Waik.alo to drive this cursed drink out of it And it would be impossible for me to describe my fe 'lings the evening I opened the Hope ot Waikato Lodge, for it was in the same rooaa that I had offered th-ifc prayer, and I felt that God hid heird and anewere I my prayer, and had sent me as the means of opening the way, and I feel sure he will help you to carry it out. Brothers an r l Sister*, you may have a great deal to contend with, but remember that God is on our side and is fighting for us, and we must conquer in the end. In conclusion, I have to thank all that have taken such au active part in presenting me with thia Watch and Address, and I will never look at it but I will think of the kindnesa I have received from my brot'ier and sister Templars during my stay in the Waikato, and I will go away thanking God that I came. (Applause.) After a short interval, necess ry for dressing and preparing the platform, the screaming farce of Bar dell v Pickwick was commenced. Though the amateur 3 hal only three reheir3»ls aul bad scare! y had fio piece in hand <i week, it passed off without a single hitch. The make np of each character was most excelleut, a.n«t &very one of the performers appeared to be perfect in his part Justice *<tirleiijh. ( VTr O'Neill) was an excellent conception of the prosy old func ion.ary His wig wa> evidently ot home manufacture, but was a very t;ood imitation In the suramiug up a number of humourous local hits were introduced which were very creditable to the ingenuity of the player Serjeant Buzfuz, thanks to the same lieal industry, had a new w.g for the occasion, whic'», we understand, had been manufactured within twenty-four hours' notice. Ihe manufacture of wigs having thus been commence i in tho Waikato, we hope to see it firmly established as a local industry. Serjeant Snubbin (Mr Maiden) was also wigged and gowned like the others in the orthodox fashion, and was doliuaate I with gra it spirit, and a correct appreciation of the character. Mr Pickwick (Mr Butler) was done to the life, ani his appearance was the s'gnal for a burst of uncontrollable merriment which lasted for «pveral minutes, aod was renewed at intervals through >ut tne piece. Mr Pear3on, as Winkle, w.as carefully dre3aol, and was creditably effective in the witness box Mr Perker (Mr Celling) was capital, and hemaiethe most of aBm ill pirt. Of Vlr Welle , sen. (Mr Slater), ihe same may be said Mr Mylrae made up to the life as Sa-n Weller, and made the most of the witne-s box scene. Mr McPaerson was a capital Gr.ffin, and Mr Cor, as Clerk I of tho Court, created much amusement by the novel form of oath which be arl ministered to the witnesses. As crier Mr MeGovern was the Hfo and soul of the piece. In season and out (in keeping with the character) hissteoto'ian voice was heard commanding "eilencMn thjCoort!" Mrs B »rdell ( Mr Longb >ttom ) was a perfect marvel of the milliner's art. It would require a column at least to do justice to the extraordinary bonnet, not to speak ot her agitation and f equent wouiso t-> the smelling salts at various stages lira Cluppins ( Mr Roy ) was in every respect most creditable, and stamps tho player as an amateur of no ordinary calibre. In the witness box, the extravagances of this singular ehinoter were depicted to the life. Master S. M Keefe made fio most of a small part (Mrs Simlers) by judicious "business." As we S'iid before, the piece passed off without a single hitch, and at frequent inrervais the perf >rmanoe was interrupted by ths hearty applause and laughter of the audience. At the conclusion, Mr Montrose proposed a vote of thinks to MrW. N. Scarancke for vi& kinduese in presiding on the occasion. He referred briefly to the advantage of these social re mions, and to the eclat giveu to ih-in by the atten lance of so I trge a p >rtion of the lea hog settlers of tho district, the kiadly countenance given to them by the Chairman, and the hearty sympathy and aid afforded by the eettlers in and around H^miltoii. Tne motion w»« carried by acclamation. Mr Searancke briefly returmd thanks *nd the proceedings were appropriately ten rainated by Iho National Ant,hem, in which alpresent joined.