Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 180, 9 August 1888, Page 3

Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society.

ANNIVERSARY SOIREE. The Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society held its anniversary invitation soiree on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance of members and their friends. The catering was undertaken by Messrs Oatridge and Veale, who certainly executed their order in an efficient manner, the whole of the company enjoying the repast provided for them. After tea the tables were cleared, and preparations mad e for holding a concert. The President (Rev J' Ward) made a few remarks on opening, and called upon the Secretary, Mr R. N. Jones, to read the report and balance-sheet for the past year. The report read was as follows : — “ On July 4, 1887, the following officers were elected: Vice-President, Mr A. Slack; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr R. N. Jones; Committee, Messrs Mayo, Ranger, and Goldsmith. In December, 1887, all the officers except Mr Goldsmith resigned, and on January 16, 1888, the following were elected in their places: Vice-President, Mr R. Robb; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J. B. Walsh; Committee, Miss Spence and Mr Oatridge. The President (Rev J. A. Luxford) left the district in March, 1888, and was succeeded by the present President (Rev J. Ward). In April Mr J. B. Walsh resigned the posts of Secretary and Treasurer, and I was appointed to those offices. It is impossible to look back upon the past year without a feeling of regret that the unanimity which has hitherto characterised the proceedings of the Society was in some measure disturbed. The year has not been so successful as the previous one, but we trust that it has not been fruitless, and that some real good has been done. We can at any rate congratulate ourselves that we have not fallen off in numbers. 29 new members have joined. One of these did not take advantage of her election ; and 25 members have resigned, leaving a net increase of three, and a total of 39 on the roll. Of those who resigned, several have left for other parts of New Zealand, and one, at least, is in England. We hope that these absent ones may be successful in life, and that their membership of this Society may have contributed something towards that success. Nor should we be disappointed with the work that has been done. Forty meetings have been held. The average attendance at these meetings was 16. Tne greatest number at any one meeting was 24, the lowest 7. Twenty members (8 of whom were ladies) have contributed papers and essays on 46 subjects, covering a wide range of information. Three papers were also contributed by non-members. Three debates have taken place ; four lectures were given under the auspices of the Society ; three short addresses were delivered by members, and several evenings have been devoted to extempore speaking, to elocutionary efforts, and to vocal and instrumental music. About 300 visitors have attended our meetings. Owing to the change in management, several subscriptions were lost to the Society, and the balance sheet has "offered in consequence. We have, however, still a good credit balance in hand, but it must be acknowledged that it is 29s below that of last year. The annual soiree was as successful as previous ones, about 90 persons sitting down to tea, and over 100 being present at the entertainment which followed. The success of the annual picnic was considerably marred owing to the day on which it took place being wet and gloomy. The arrangements, however, were as oompiste as could be desired, and the 80 or more persons who attended seemed to enjoy themselves as much as could be expected under the circumstances. Two new proposals were approved of by the Society, but so late in the year that it is not yet possible to judge how they will work. The first was with reference to the formation of a Library in connection with the Society, This is to he supported by the gift and loan of hooks from members and friends of the Society. Already 12 volumes have been presented to the Library, while many more have been promised. The other proposal was to establish an elocution class, also in connection with the Society. The President has kindly offered to take charge of this, and no doubt it will prove of great benefit to members. With the example of last year before us, it is scarcely necessary to reiterate the advice given in the last report as to the necessity of working in unity. Keeping this point in view and bearing in mind that we are fast regaining our old standard, with hard work and good management we hope in the coming year to eclipse all our previous efforts. We must increase our membership and look to making our meetings as pleasant and as profitable as possible. If we set our hearts and minds upon attaining success, there is no doubt we shall be rewarded. In conclusion, the thanks of the officers are due to all those members and friends who, by their esteemed assistance and good will, have conduced to the prosperity of the Society.” After the report was read, a song was given by Mr Goldsmith. A dialogue “ Wanted—A General Servant” was then rendered by Misses Spence, Jones, Lowndes, and Oatridge, and created a good deal of amusement ; followed by an instrumental duet by Messrs Veale and Davies. Mr Slack gave a recitation, and Miss Steele sang “ Pretty Pond Lillies.” A recitation, “ The White Owl,” by Miss E. Banks, created a good deal of laughter. A song by Mr Oatridge, “ Let Me kiss Him for His Mother,” concluded the first portion of the programme. During the interval refreshments were handed round among the audience. The first item in the second part of the programme was a song by Miss Clark, “ Dream Faces,” which was nicely rendered. A dialogue, “ The Bashful Lover,” by Mr and Miss Jones was also well received. Mr East sang "Booked in the Cradle of the Deep,” which was followed by a recitation by Miss Spence, “ How to cure a Cough.” A soag by Miss Nelly Steele, “Ye Banks and Braes,” and Mr G. Searle’s song “ Friendless, Homeless, and in the Rain,” completed the programme Miss Steele is a most promising -i 'ger with a sweet and trained voice. lu the course of the evening the Rev J. McAra delivered a short address, conveying to the Society the well-wishes of its sister society, the Presbyterian Literary Association; and the Revs Fox and Dean also delivered short addresses. Before dispersing the audience gang verses of " Auld Lang Syne " and ‘I God Save the Queen." One of the features of the entertainment was an artistically-arranged assortment of beautiful birthday and ether cards. The idea was a good one, and it was well carried out.