TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2450, 24 March 1888, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

Farewell Soiree to Rbv. Mr Mathkr.— As Mr Mather, in consequence of the rule of the Wesleyan denomination, is about to.leave the district, his friends tendered him a farewell soiree which was held in the hall on Wednesday evening. Tables provided with an excellent supply of good things were given by Mesdames Mather, Bridgman, J. W. Bridgman, Miller, Pratt, North, Prince, and Westbury. After the tables were cleared away the proceedings were opened by singin? hymn G7B, after which the Rev. Mr Rish worth engaged in prayer. MiMather, who took the chair, expressed his regret at the absence of the senior circuit steward who was to have taken the chair had he been present. Hβ also expressed his regret at the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Mr Dellow. Some of the singors were, he said, strangers to a Te Awamutu audience and he asked for them the kind attention which the people of this district always extended to those who contributed to their enjoyment. He expressed his sense of the kindness to those who came from long distances to assist, two gentlemen having ridden from Otorohanga for the purpose of singing. The following was the programme : —Pianoforte duet, Misses parley and Murray; song, "David singing before Saul," Miss Allen; song, "Nazareth," Mr Chambers; song. "Twilight Chimes," Miss Davis ; address, Mr Morrison ; song, "He wipes the tear from every eye," Mrs Andrew; song, "The guardian angel, , ' Mr Gribble; song, "My soul to God," Miss Murray ; address, Rev. Mr Rish worth; song, "Pierot," Miss Carley; song, "Lead me gently home," Mr Johnson; song, " Yesterday," Miss Allen; song, "The roll of the drum," Mr Chambers; duet, " Whispering hearts," Misses Carley and Murray; address by the chairman. In the course of his address, Mr Mather expressed his regret at leaving this district. When he was about to come here he was told it was a poor district, stipends not paid regularly, ifcc. His experience, however, was very different indeed. Not only were these remarks baseless, but his experience showed that it was the very opposite to what it was represented to be. He was glad to say that his friends were not by any means confined to members of his own denomination. He found many kind and warm friends in members of other denominations, and if he could only take some of hie friends with him to his new circuit he would be very pleased indeed. If the nature of his duties permitted, and he could get away for a few days, he should be very happy to come back and spend them among his old and valued friends. He had intended delivering a lecture on " Sammy Hicks," and also one on the world't greatest man, viz., "The Hon. W. E. Gladstone," but he found that his frequent visits to the King Country took up so much of his spare time, and also was a tax upon his strength that he found it impossible to do so. But if he could arrange matters he would, after next conference in November, endeavour to i deliver both here. The former would be in aid of the funds of the Church, and the latter in aid of the library funds, and he hoped the people would attend. In closing his address, he said he would now bid farewell to the people, as he, perhaps, would not have the opportunity of doing so at their own homes. Song, "The Village Blacksmith," Mr Johnson; song, "The Parting Hour," Miss Davis. A vote of thanks to the ladies who provided the tea and to the performers, with the Benediction by the chairman, concluded the programme. The concert was a very successful one, the singers being well-known for their ability. All the ladies sang very well indeed, but the hall not being lined was a great drawback, singers finding it a very difficult matter to do full justice to the pieces. Miss Murray, of Hamilton, and Mias Davie, of Cambridge, are deserving of special thanks for having come such long distances to assist. Thanks are also due to Messrs Chambers and Hartly, and Johnson and Gribble, who came from Cambridge and Otorohanga respectively. It is a matter for rngret that these gentlemen live so far away, for such taleuted singers are well worth going to hear. Mr Hartly played some of the accompaniments on the harmonium and piano in turns most efficiently. Mrs Andrew and Misses Murray, Allen and Carley also accompanied some of the singers. Of the songs by ladies, " David singing before Saul," by Miss Allen, was, we think, the beet, but when all sang so well it would, perhaps, be a matter ot opinion as to which was the best. Mr Johnson and Mr Gribble sang exceedingly well. We have heard the former gentleman before, but never to such advantage as in "The village blacksmith," a song that suits his voice admirably. This was Messrs Chambers' and Gribble's first visit to the placi, and we hope it will not be by any means the last. When Mr Chambers' voice matures his name on the bills will be alone sufficient to attract a good audience.