ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 701, 24 September 1875, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

—o—(from our correspondent.) The Soiree in aid of the Presbyterian Church Funds came off on Wednesday evening the 15th instant—as was expected the attendance was pretty largo, though doubtless many ticket-holders were prevented from being present by the rather inclement •weather. The tea table was gracefully decorated by a variety of bouquets, and more gracefully presided over by the ladies, to whom great praise is due for their efforts be forehand to have everything ready and in good order, and well they succeeded, if we ■may judge from the happy features of the guests. Mr Beattie supplied the various viands, which is guarantee enough that eveiything was as it should he. After tea was over and the tables removed, Mr Boyd was voted to the Chair, and a very agreable evening was spent before the programme was exhausted, which consisted of several •of Sankey’s hymns, which were very well rendered by our Teviot friends, as was also Mr M'C.mnochie’s “ Com°, Come away.” The speech of the evening was delivered by the Rev. Mr Drake, who .addressed the audience in his usual humorous style, who, while relating in a touching manner many ■of his youthful reminiscences contrived now and then to insert a deal of humor, without deviating for a moment from the point of his speech. Liter in the evening, after pronouncing the benediction, he proposed to deliver a Lecture on the following night on Good Templarism, provided he could procure an audience On calling for a show of hands, only fifteen or so were 'held up, so with good grace he dropped the ■proposition, remarking at the same time that one of the uplifted hands belonged to a Chinaman. After the singing of a hymn, the Rev. Mr Telford was called upon, ami delivered an appropriate address. Not the least amusing part of the entertainment ■was Mr Finlay’s reading, entitled, “ The grey mare, the better horse ” —lt was well read, it was amusing, and to those in search of a wife, it might he instructing. The entertainment on Friday last was a decided success ; as was expected the house was filled to excess. The different parts of It’re programme were well sustained, and the readings by the children were justly applauded. I would here remark that if some of the good people v&o favor these entertainments with their presence would allow their conversational powers a little rest, tLiose who are endeavoring to amuse the audience would have a better chance of •succeeding. The attraction of the evening . avis the farce “ Borrowed Plumes.” It is ■a very' amusing piece and was very well acted indeed. A dramatic club will now be formed in our township, and their first -performance will he for the benefit of the Hospital. «