OPUNAKE TEA MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 290, 21 August 1882, Page 3

OPUNAKE TEA MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sib, — In your issue of Wednesday, ICth August, you publish a report of the tea meeting and concert held at Opunake in aid pf an, organ fund. I had intended sending a report myself, and wa£ only waiting until the; amount of the proceeds was ascertained. As the report of your 'correspondent, owing to matters of more public interest claiming his attention, was not very full, I venture to trespass upon your kindness, and ask you to find room for a more extended one. For some time past the ladies committee — i Mesdames Crowther, Breach, Brothers, Duffill, O'Donahue, May'smor, Pettigrew, Ritson, and Wylie, had been busily preparing for the tea meeting, and on the 10th the appearance of the tables and the evident relish with which the good things went down, spoke well for the success of their efforts. Meanwhile another committee had been busily preparing " intellectual food " in the shape of vocal and instrumental music. Over 100 sat down to tea, and the tables were still loaded with good tilings when every one had finished, several ladies, not members of the tea committee, having generously contributed to the general stock of cakes, buns, &c. The concert was a great succesp the room being crowded, and I most cordially endorse the statements of your correspondent with regard to the pianist. After the concert, votes of thanks' were given to Mrs. Breach for her kindness in coming through all weathers to play the harmonium at the Sunday services'r also to the officers and men of the A.C. force for getting evergreens, decorating the hall, and generally contribxiting towards the success of the whole affair. I am sorry I cannot yet give the actual amount realised. I will, however, let you know las soon as it is ascertained. X feel, I can, without egotism, speak in the highest | praise of both the meeting and concert, as the only part I took, was making praiseworthy efforts to show my appreciation of the various pood things provided, By the kindness of the School Committee the children were granted a holiday on the 12th, and all met in the Drill Hall, where tfiey had a gooclromp,. ami afterwards allayed the feavs of the ladies, lest any ol the numerous dainties remaining from the tea should be left to spoil. Personally knowing as I do your Opunake correspondent, I feel sure he only meant to be flattering when he referred to my having " amused the children very much indeed." Apologising for taking up so much of jour valuable space, — I am, &c, Harold Ensor.