MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 258, 6 November 1897, Page 2

MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

At the Foresters' Hall last evening Mr W. W. Collins gave a most interesting account of the most successful explorations of the polar regions in modern times, namely, the expedition of Dr. Nansen. Mr W. C. Dennes presided. The lecture was illustrated by a series of most interesting views taken from the original photographs of Dr. Nansen. These were snown by oxy-ether limelight and greatly added to the enjoyment of the audience. The graphic description given by Mr Collins of the appalling hardships incidental to Arctic exploration were brought home to the minds of the audience far more vividly than is possible by any written account. A meeting of the executive of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association was held yesterday, Mr W. McLaughlin presiding. Letters were received from various steamship companies, stating that they purposed offering special travelling facilities during next week to enable country settlers to attend the Agricultural Show. The Secretary stated that the railway authorities had also intimated their intention of running excursion trains at low fares. Messrs A. Buckland and Sons and Messrs Hunter and Nolan had arranged to relinquish their usual horse sales on Friday next, the first day of the Show. The tender of Mr Purcell for the sole right of selling refreshments at the circular bar was accepted. Forty gentlemen and one lady were elected members of the Association. The secretary stated that the number of entries in the horse section was the largest that had ever been received, not only at Auckland, but at any show in New Zealand. There were about a third more entries in cattle and sheep than last year, and very fine competition was assured in some of the butter classes.

The Band of Hope Union is meeting with great success in its arrangements for celebrating the Jubilee of the movement. The pledge-taking crusade, which commenced on October 16th, has so far resulted in 1,194 pledges being taken, and it appears probable that instead of 1,000 scheme 2,000 will be nearer the result, as many returns are yet to come in. One lady in the city has obtained 135, while Mount Eden heads ' the district list with 157 ; Otahuhu, 95; j Arch Hill, 78 ; Hikurangi, 56 ; Aratapu, j 51; Okaihau, 49. To-morrow sermons and ! Sunday-school addresses upon the subject will be delivered in many places in Auckland. The response in the United Kingdom isquite universal, the Anglican church ! being very prominent, and 22 of the 25 ' English cathedral pulpits will be occupied by eminent preachers discoursing on the i subject of Bands of Hope, while the non- I conformist bodies will be as earnest as ever. ' Apparently the workers have every reason to be encouraged. The latest returns re- I specting the pledge-taking will be announced in the Domain on Tuesday, as : visitors will report to the secretary on Monday. i