HARAPEPE SOIREE.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 873, 24 January 1878, Page 3

HARAPEPE SOIREE.

Ths opening soire^, concert, and dun<& came >ff m the scbbolhouee on Friday -eifenity 18th inst. Owing to Ye very uupropitions state of the vrt >,her for several days previous, it N»a very doubtful throughout the \aorning. whether the soiree woolci not have to' be postponed at the last, but) during the afternoon an improvement took place and there was a fine evening after all. As it was/ there were fully as many present a^t the dance as the ' echoolhouae could accommodate. 'I he room was tastefully decorated with JSikau, Punga leaves Ac. but there ■was v very noticeable deficiency m .floral ornamentation, caused no doubt by the unfortunate condition of many of the settlerg m the neighbourhood ; a condition which does not tend to assist m the improvi ment of floriculture, and for which there seems no excuse after the presence pf. so .many ladies on this evening. However, it is to be hoped before the next re-union takes place some of the. unfortunates will take heart of gr^^j^mißmberinjj that ' faint heart ne'er won fair lady/ otHertfia^; they'dieß^rve their

*■ The tables were bountifully.: siippHed with the good thin^g of this life by Mra Hodgson and Mrs Allan, to whom great credit is due, espe*i&lly con-adoring tne d>ffi^n)ti. s < hey had to surmount from bad weather, distano , and want of facilities for preparation at the snhoolhouse. After grace (' Praise God 1 ) had been sung under thfi leadership of Mr Sti^el a general attack was made, and justice having been done, though the ladies deolared half their edibles were not consumed, the table was cleared and Mr McMinn having been voted .to the chair, the concert commenced with a chorus ' See our Oars.' The following programme was gone through, * St Patrick's day Parade,' by Mr F. McMinn. * All the same j to Sam, 1 Mr A. Prince; 'Kate O'Shane' Miss 4obina Allan ; The Arabs ' Farewell to his Steed,' Mr Colpan ; 'The Officer's Funeral.' Mr Kirk ; ' Home they brought Her Warrior Dead/ Miss Kate Allan, .' Know Thyself, 1 Mr Steel ; ' Very good, for Picking/ Mr A. Prince; Glee. *T?he Wreath, 1 Miss Kate Allans song was vociferously encored to which she kindly acceded by singing ' Golden 'Locks/ Mri Duffus played the moat of the accompaniments and also the music for several dances, indeed this • ndy's well known kindness and *kill helped much to make the evening pass pleasantly; the MisseAllan also played several accompaniments which were weil executed. | Very general regret was felt at ' the absence of Mr Edgecumbe <vho was coming by the steamer, the welcome whistle of which was only heard as the concert closed. However he was there and greatly ' helped to enliven the proceedings by ringing several songs at intervals throughout the night, am»ng which his recitings of ' The Englishman' and 'Sally m our Alley," were particularly noticeable and brought rounds of applause. His presence was also telt iv amusing the ladies at which he is such an adept. Beautiful Isle of the Sr.»a' was very prettily sung by Mis Harsant, a lady not long since ' located' m the district by a gentlemen whose -xampte deserve more general imitation. After the termination of the concert a vote of thanks was pro posed by the chairman to those who had co kindly given their assistance both a>; providing the tables aid at the concert, and the seats havi g seen c'eared away dancing comenced, Mr Kirk acting a» M. C. with his usual tact, and also playing the muuio for several dances. Miss M. Hodgtwn also played a cortisone with great spirit, but sufficient cciißideratioh w,.s not shewn or her youthful fingers the niu oles of which have not yet arrived at 'bat Jegree of tension necessary to play the length of time that dancing is supposed to last up hore. The wellknown performer m the musical department from Te Awamutu failed to pat m an appearance, not recognising the courage wirh which vVaikate ladies defy the weather on social occasions, but volunteers were »>on forthcoming and dancing kept up with unflagging spirit till day•ight did appear. Even then the votaries of Terpsicore wei'e not tired and appealed for just one more if it was only a polka though they would i refer the 'first set ;' but the M. C. was inexorable, and decided that * when the grey dawn was breaking' was the proper time to invoke the Divine blessing of Her Most Gracious Majesty. Accordingly Mrs Dnffas and Mr Edgecumbe were fgain requisitioned and the amusement was concluded with singing ' God Save the Queen.'