COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

TAUPIRT, Tuesday

At the conclusion of the harvest festival service held here a day or two ago, the Rev. A. M. Bradbury presented the organist (Miss Cox) on behalf of the parishioners with a purse of sovereigns. In doing so he referred in the highest terms of praise to the excellent service rendered by the young lady during the term she had acted in the capacity of organist, and said no souvenir the money might buy could adequately express their appreciation. Mr E. B. Cox suitably acknowledged the gift on behalf of his

daughter

Mrs Lovell's new hall will be opened on Friday next, when a concert and ball will be held. The work of erection was entrusted to Mr T. H. White, and the hall is said to be one of the best in the Waikato.

HAMILTON, Tuesday

A telegraph chess match has been arranged between the Hamilton and Ngaruawahia Clubs for Thursday evening next, eight a-side. The following players will, represent Ngaruawahia:—Messrs Burr, Dawson, Gleeson, Gould, Davies, Rathborne, McDonald, and Bradbury.

PUKEKOHE NOTES

A very pleasant social gathering was held by the united choirs of the Wesleyan and Presbyterian Churches in the Wesleyan Church, on.Friday evening for the purpose of wishing God-speed to Mrs Oldham, wife of the Rev. F. B. Oldham, Wesleyan minister, prior to their departure for Gisborne. Rev. W. F. Findlay (Presbyterian) occupied the chair, and during his address referred very feelingly to the happy relations that had existed between himself and the Rev. Mr Oldham during his sojourn in this district. The programme consisted of vocal solos, quartettes, duets and concerted pieces by the choir, and an instrumental duet by Mr and Miss R. Penman. During the evening Mr W. Crowther in a characteristic speech presented to Mrs Oldham, on behalf of the united choirs, a handsome butter-dish bearing this inscription:

—'Presented to Mrs F. B. Oldham by the united Presbyterian and Wesleyan choirs as a memento of many happy associations.' This recognition of her services was well deserved. At the close of the programme refreshments were handed round to the friends present by the members of the choirs, and the meeting concluded by singing 'God be with You till We Meet Again.'

On Saturday evening the Pukekohe Debating Society had a social to bid farewell to their president, the Rev. F. B. Oldham, who is being removed (according to the usual practice of the Wesleyan Church) to a new sphere in Gisborne. The Rev. Mr Oldham has, during his term here, won the esteem of all denominations. The Debating Society wil^ miss him much, for they knew that when he expressed an opinion it was the result of careful thought. A very pleasant programme was provided, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, interspersed with speeches by several members of the Society. The rev. gentleman was presented by Mr D. Russell on behalf of the Society with a silver inkstand as a memento of their respect and good-will.