THE ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE PORT CHALMERS CHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 79, 31 October 1874, Page 8

THE ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE PORT CHALMERS CHURCH.

The Concert and Moonlight Excursion, which had been unavoidably postponed from laat month through the inclemency of the elements came off on Monday evening last, the -weather being such as to lead to the supposition that the clerk regretted his pasfc conduct, and Lad determined to mate ample amends tor the severe test he had put upon the patience of the promoters and patrons of the entertainment. As had been announced, his Lordship the Bishop had graciously signified his intention of being present, together with Fathers Moore and Crowloy ; and a hope was generally entertained that the Calypso, on board of which were the Rev. Fathers Walsh and O'Leary, would arrive in time to admit of their being also present on the occasion. Happily this wish has been realised, for the welcome intelligence reached town on Sunday evening that the expected vessel had been sighted from the Heads ; and on Monday morning his Lordship, accompanied by Father Moore, repaired to the Port for the purpose of meeting and welcoming the rev. gentlemen. Business compelling his Lordship to return to town, the Rev. Father Moore remained in Port Chalmers to entertain the rev. gentlemen until evening, when the Bishop and Father Crowley arrived in a carriage and pair, which conveyed the party back to town at the close of the evening's proceedings. The Golden Age, the steamer chartered for the occasion, had been advertised to leave the Jetty at 6.45 p.m., but long before that hour streams of persons were seen wending their way to the wharf, and by the appointed time the little craft was crowded from stem lo stern. Indeed, had a vessel of double the tonnage been chartered, we feel assured there would have been no spare room. Tempted, no doubt, by the enticing appearance of the evening, in conjunction with the powerful attraction of the Provincial Brass Band, whose members most generously gave their services, we feel certain very many availed themselves of the treat, who had not so intended, no less a sum than £10 being taken on the wharf just as the steamer was about to start. Precisely at seven o'clock the order was given to cast off, and notwithstanding that at the moment a number of ladies were getting aboard, the steamer moved away from the Jetty, the Captain refusing point blank to wait one moment longer. The delay of but a few moments would have avoided the leaving behind of a couple of dozen, and we think that on such an occasion such strict punctuality was rather overstretched. However, it must be allowed that, strictly speaking, the Captain had right on his side; but no excuse can palliate the language in which the refusal was conveyed. In one case his conduct -was discourteous ; in the other, it was positively disgraceful. As the little steamer moved down the river, the band struck up " Come back to Erin," to the no doubt intense discomfiture and chagrin of those lining the Jetty, who paying the penalty of their dilatoriness, had been left behind. At each landing stage between town and the Port stoppages were made, and at each place a considerable number was added to those already on board. When the lights of the town became visible, rockets were fired to apprise the townspeople of the approach of the steamer, and precisely one hourfrom the time of starting the Golden Age touched the Old Pier. A procession was formed, headed by the band, which marched to the Assembly Rooms, but upon arrival thereat the new-comers found to their dismay that every piece of vantage ground had been secured by the towns-folk. However, good feeling and pleasantry was the order of the day — or rather evening — and after a deal of crushing and crowding a few were accommodated with eeat6, the less favoured had to be satisfied with standing room, while not a few • unf ortunates had till the advantages of an outside view of the building by moonlight. His Lordship was accommodated with a chaii to the side of the platform, the front row of seats, immediately at the foot of the stage, being reserved for the clergymen. It is to be regretted that the committee had not ai ailed itself of the offer of the bonded store, most kindly placed at its service, for as far as comfort is concerned the holders of outside tickets had decidedly the advantage, though, of course, deprived of the enjoyment of the concert. With regard to the latter, the bill of fare was a most enticing one, embracing songs, ballads, glees, and recitations, and when we state that Mr. Sykes presided at the piano, our readers may rest assured the entertainment was one of no ordinary character. We regret that pressure on our space does not permit of our speaking at such length of the performance as we would wish ; and, indeed, where all were so good, it were a difficult matter to particularise. Although the programme was materially different from that submitted at the Masonic Hall, the ladies and gentlemen who appeared on each occasion were the same ; and persons who were present at the former concert will find little difficulty in realising the success of Monday evening, when we mention the names of Mrs. Connor and Miss Hesford, and Messrs. Loughnau, Connor, Carroll, Griffon, Cornish, and Lennon, as amongst those on the programme. We cannot refrain, however, from making special mention of the feeling manner in which Mrs. Connor rendered the pathetic song " Constance," and the " Dear Little Shamrock," by Miss Hesford; as also the comic aria from Mozart's "Le Nozze de Figaro," by Mr Loughnan ; but decidedly the gem of the evening was the duett of " The Wind and the Harp," between Mr and Mrs Connor. Mr Cornish favoured the audience with Lady Dufferin's plaintive song " The Irish Emigrant" and " You and I," for which he received a deserved encore. Master Scanlan, as at a former entertainment, recited in an amusing style " The Naughty Little Boy," young and old alike seeming to thoroughly enjoy tae pathetic recital of his mishaps. The recitation, by Master Alfred Norman, of the " Eve of Waterloo," an item not inserted in the programme, but not the least attractive one — was given in a clear, distinct tone, and with elocutionary judgment and effect which might be studied with profit by older and more pretentious speakers. During the course of the entertainment, his Lordship the Bishop having ascended the platform, said :—": — " Ladies and gentlemen, — There is no honour to be obtained without trouble, and I confess my case is not an exception to the general rule. I have been asked to address those present, and my trouble is that Ido not know what to Bay. I

must, however, thank all those who by their presence here to-night have rendered assistance to the object for which the entertainment has been given • and I also think that those ladies and gentlpmen who have come such a distance to help the good work, and to give us such a pleasant evening, are entitled to our heartiest thanks. I will not say more, as I have but little doubt you would all derive far more pleasure from a continuation of the music than in listening to any eloquence from me." His Lordship then resumed his seat amidst cries of " No ; no." We have been asked to return thanks to the members of the Provincial Band for their generous and valuable services, and we do bo the more heartily, knowing that great an attraction as the Moonlight Excursion was deemed, it would have been shorn of much of its attractiveness had the Band not been on board. We have not heard the exact amount realised by the entertainment, but have but little doubt a most respectable sum has been netted to form the nucleus of a building fund.