ENTERTAINMENTS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8591, 19 September 1893, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

At the usual fortnightly meetings of the Sydenham Presheterian Band of Hope, held on Friday evening, a competition was held for two prizes offered, one for singing and the other for reciting. The following competed:—For singing—Edith McMillan, Carry McLean, and Miss S. Mieklam. For recitations —Willie Patrick, Nelly Hocking, Jenny McDowall, Carry Miicheli, Elsie Burnside, Janet Mieklam, and Amelia Mitchell. The winners of the piiz-ss were: —For singing, Miss S. Mieklam ; for reciting, Carry Mitchell.

A very successful meeting of the Durham street Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association was held ou Friday evening last iv t;ie Dururan street Schoolroom. There was a very large attendance of members and friends. A '" Parliamentary Evening" having beeu decided upou, the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill was selected, and clauses 1, 2, 3,6,7, 8, 9, 14 were debated according to " Parliamentary Practice." The " Standing Orders " were suspeuded by vote and the Bill carried through its Ist, 2nd, aad 3rd readings, aud in committee in one sitting. The Speaker's chair was occupied by Mr J. W. Ft lost, Mr J. R. Rauderson, Premier; Mr F. Greenwood, Leader of the Opposition ; Mr A. X Englajd, Chairman of Committee. The Bill was keenly debated on both sides of the House, and in Committee underwent some changes, but in the third reading the Government were defeated by 10 to 9, they having decided to adhere to the '* Saturday" half-holiday, which was objected to by the Opposition party.

A most successful meebing ot Sb. Paul's Sunday School Band of Hope, Richmond, was held on Friday eveuing. There was a crowded gathering, notwithstanding the inclement weabher. The chair was occupied by Mr Wm. Gavin, and the programme consisted of songs, vocal and instrumental solos and duets and two dialogues. The members of the Sunday School were assisted by Misses A. Mcßae, E. and L. Snowball, Mr Bates and Master Snowball. Miss E. Bates ably presided at the pi.no. Seven pledges were taken during the evening. The Merivale Football Club were entertained, lasb night, by Mr McNamara, a Vice-Presidenb of bhe Club, ab a social, which took place at the Ciby Hotel, and was much enjoyed. Mr White, Captain, presided, and bhere were aboub fifty present, including representatives from the Liuwood, Sydenham and other Clubs. The room was nicely decorated, blue aud white predominating, and above all appeared the colours, red and black, which were successful in the luterprovincial Football match with Otago. The gathering was of a convivial character. During the evening songs were well sung aud toasts usual to such occasions were honoured, but none were so warmly received as that of the Host and Hostess, which was druuk with three times three.

On Friday evening, ab the Kaiapoi Church school, a Service of Song," Christy's Old Organ," was giveu by Miss Sims and the members of bhe Sb. Bartholomew's Bandof Hope. Owing to other attracbions, the attendance was not so large as the excellence of the piece and the manner iv which the songs were given warranted. The Mariners' Pride Lodge of Good Templars, Lyttelton, held its weekly sessions on Friday last. A fair attendance of members was present. Bro. G. Blajklar, C.T., occupied the cliair. Ib was decided to alter the night of meeting to Friday as the mosb convenient for the fishermen brothers. Bro. J. T. Norton read a paper on the true gentleman. Bro. E. Blacklar gave a review of temperance progress generally for over sixty years. Several of the brothers took up the subject, and a spirited debate ensued. It was decided the next sessions should be a sisters' evening. The following brothers and sisters contributed to the Lodge's harmony:—Brothers E. Blacklar aud Wm. Tubbs, sisters Simmons, Blacklar, and Stewart. The Lodge closed iv the usual way.