MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1901, Page 2

MEETINGS, ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH CONVER-

SAZIONE

A conversazione was held in . Mrs Sowerby's Hall last evening in connection with the induction of the RevH. B. Gray as minister of St. Andrew's Church. There was a very large attendance, including a number of clero-v. The Rev. R. Sommerville presided* and congratulated the congregation on having chosen a minister. The Re\». Alex. Whyte, of Hawke's Bay, who was a companion of Mr Gray at Glasgow University, paid a high tribute to that gentleman's good qualities. Canon Nelson and the Rev. Gray Dixon also spoke. Mr James Smart, on behalf of the session managers, court, and church, and congregation, presented Mr Sommerville with a purse of sovereigns, Mr Sommerville returning thanks. The Rev. HB. Gray made a presentation to Mr John Reid, who had been sessions clerk for eighteen years, on the occasion of his going to Scotland with his wife and family for a holiday. The presentation took the form of a silver salver, afternoon tea set, and kettle. Mr Reid brielly returned thanks. During the evening songs were contributed by Misses' Falconer and Noton, Messrs Ferridav and Ryan, a duet by Mrs Lawrv and Mr Battley, two glees by the "Ponsonby Quartette, and two humorous recitations by Mr W. Steel. Mr W- Culpan superintended the musical part of the programme. In the course of the evening the Rev. A. Whvte referred to the martyrdom of the* Rev. James Chalmers in New Guinea, and the congregation offered up prayer.