ST. JOHN'S CHOIR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7930, 20 December 1887, Page 3

ST. JOHN'S CHOIR.

The entertainment and prize distribution to the choir boys of St. Jolid's Church held in the schoolroom last evening was a great success. The boys sat down to a splendid tea (supplied by Messrs Rule and Ghissford) at 6.30 p.m., the tables being kindly presided over by Mrs Balfour and Mrs Spackmau, and by Messrs Spackman and Stephens. At this the boys heartily enjoyed themselves, and gave manifestation of the efforts made to please them by frequent rounds of applause and cheering— first for the ladies vjresent, and then for Mr Willcocks, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, who has generously ottered to shortly give them a treat, out to the ship Waikato in the bay. Great regiet was expressed at the absence through serious illness in their family ot the Key. De Berdt and Mrs Hovell, who would otherwise have been present, and warm sympathy was expressed for them. At 8 o'clock the musical entertainment and prize distribution t6ok plaae, afc which some of the adult, members of the choir were good .enough to assist. A couple of Christmas carols were lirst «»ng, then followed songs by Messrs Simpson, Mountfort, Wood, and Fowler, and a recitation by Master liaven, all of which -were received with immense applause. The boys next joined Mr Stephens in the old and favorite song of " Cock Kobin," after which Mrs ISalfoiu- (who had irtost kindly consented to act at the last moment), presented the prizes as follows :— To Master C. Hodgson and H, ]lill in the Hist division ; and to Master It. Skippase and H. Bear in the second division, special prizes for solo singing and excellence in chanting respectively iv the competiou recently held ; and to £. Newman and W. Wood, extra special prizes in the same on account of their very high scoring. Vrizes for regular uttendance were presented to S. Cowlrick, K. Langley, W. Prcbblc, H. Bear, K Newman, R. Crerar, H. Mountfort, C. Hodgson, Geo. Harker, K. Skippage, S. Collins, H. Jago, G. Raven, and r. Jago. Parting presents of well-bound Church services were presented to U. Newman, E. Liuiglcy, 11. Momitfort, I. Bear, C. Hodgson, G. Jtnven, »nid IJ. liondry on their retiring from tho choir. Mrs Balfour then presented to Mr Stephens and Mr Spaceman, from the choir boys, :i very handsome pair of opera glumes and a silver pencil case respectively, but the gifts coming so unexpectedly upon them those gentlemen could jit the time only brielly thank tho boys for their very kind thoughtfulness. The evening, which wan so happily spent

■ by those immediately interested and ! many friends who attended, closed with i a third Christmas carol, cheers for Mrs Balfour, and to Mr Wood of the High School, who had so carefully selected the prizes, and in the good old-fashioned way i a verse most heartily sung of " God Save the Queen."