MANGAPAI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1053, 30 March 1867, Page 6

MANGAPAI.

On Wednesday, the 20th of March, a soiree vraa held ir> the Presbyterian Church, Mangapai. A large and respectable company assembled, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of tlie weather. About 80 persons partook of tea, providod by the: ladies in the neighbourhood, and although 120 statistical report was given, we understand the proceeds of the tea are to be applied for the purpose of painting the Ckuroh and fencing in (he land belonging thereto, and putting it down in grass. After clearing away the tables, &c., and singing a psalm, the Rev. J. Gorrie read part of the 6th chapter of Matthew, and the Rev. J. Smith having engaged in prayer, the Eev. J. Gorp.tc took the chair, stating that it had been left to him to arrange the programme for the eTening; not having hid any notice to do so, he must do his best. He was glad to see so large a number of the fair Sex present, although the weather was so unfavourable ; he made Bome remarks on union—family union, union with the fair sex, &c., and said he understood that Bishop Selwyn, when last in the district, had given the bachelors a rating, stating that where there was no lady's presence they need not expect to enjoy domestic comfort: that he gave them twelve months' grace, and if they had not got partners by that time, he would have to select for them, of course, subject to their approval. Mr. Gorrio remarked that marriage, if properly entered into, was a source of much happiness and joy ; but if improperly, might be the means of much discomfort, and advised the young people present to look out and ■form only such unions. He next remarked on social union, and congratulated the settlers here on the social feeling existing amongst them, and pointed oui the advantage* of social union, in raising rates for the making of roads, &c , and pointing out the beneficial effects of union generally, as resulting from social intercourse. He then referred to political union, poiulii-* out the great los 3 occasioned by the war, as a rerult of the->riiitcal 'Jsunion of ':he Government. "- ext he to union ii- the* Ohurch. and_ that f/i "bp hanpy v -, 11 * Chris*. _ FTshort."! nsfe aa* I atjcjftTOn^

U'g a> M\d to tetfWit --.cv.-t • V?rs>? •Hs y-'-f witsii CoiUiiaa uiib-.n ih>' &Per»nt of the Cbv>.;h, bd* o;i>i «)t ?uh to -h-.. ihs iiiae. when .*iJi ?! 'etc-;?? ;? was gtoe. j£2ie was glad itj see Jhu irui-j.i, or reunion here, and rved that these meetings were not got up without xauch trouble and care. Miss Hewlett next gave a •une on thefcsrmcwium with accompaniment,exeeuted ■with great taste, -iful which, with all her subsequent performance?, elicited loud and prolonged cheering, and contributed very much towards the pleasure of tho evening's proceedings.

Thoßev. J. Slimr, (Wesleyan,) "Wangarei, remarked on the name Mangnpai, signifying " the good ■branch," many people thought it -was so, especially those who have farms here ; he said the locality is better than some people thiak it is ; the rule at these meetings was no polities, but the Chairman's example would allow him to be a littlo discursive ; we -want union here to make roads, it is bad travelling between Wangarei and Mangapai, a bridge over the Otaiko creek was very much needed, the settlers must unite to ra-'se money to make them, the Government ought to aid us ; we "want justice done to the north—we have a just cause nf complaint—the Government money being spent principally in a railroad from Auckland to O.uohunga. 3e was glad to see (being such bad weather) so many ladies present, he would not flatter them, but we are all indebted to the ladieß, they possess great power, both in Ohurch and state ; and tliey only, can take the human heart by storm ; let them take anything in hand, and they arc sure to cany it 5 he thea remarked on'their influence as it regards religion, home, "and especially, as exerted by sisters on their brothers, in aiding to form now homes here. He thea alluded to the great responsibility of parents in educating their children, as the country districts generally did not poaess the same facilities.in the way of schools, as existed in towns. To further illustrate the influence of ladies, lie said 144 ladies in the State of Maine, (America) formed themselves into 12 Committees—l 2 members in each Committee, for the purpose of getting the public houses closed, the publicans (by their influence) all but one closed their houses. To this publican one of the ladies paid a visit and delivering to him a not very brief lecture rm the evils caused by his trade; told him, that she

was one of a committee of 12 ladies, that they had 12 such committees, and that each member of every committeo intended to visit him, he at once gave up. (We should rather think ho did.) Ho was glad to see pious families springing up, picturing " The Cottars Saturday night," and prayed that many auch might rise up. Wo were also indebted to the ladies for the sweet music dis-

eiH-ec. which was so enlivening, and jefiectid bo much credit on the district. He then referred to union ic Churches, and urged tho necessity of united prayo?s for ministers and members ; ho want;d unity not uniformity—for a talented opposition would demand;, their own and their country's rights. He hoped we should be tho better for meotiug hero"; and after, those of different denominations having'thus meteor social enjoyment, would go with renewed energtf to subdue the earth- Ho alluded to tho good effect of the Evangelical alliiuee in England, although it was impossible to make all think alike. " Train up a child in tho way ho should go, and wben ho is old he will not depart from it." God had raised up Luther and other distinguished nun, whose minds had been developed by education, &c. He concluded with wishin" the society success in their enterprise as regards the £ s d., and enjoined on all to love and attend God's house, and pray for success on God's word. (Cheers.)

The Chairman" hoped that the remarks given to parents on the religious training of the youth in this district would be borne in mind; it waialso very desirable that the improvements begun, should be carried out. You are in advance of Wangarei in having a cemetery it was very desirable that it should be fenced in, and put in proper order: the committee need the assistance of the settlers to cirry out the improvements begun. After a tune on the barmoniun by Miss Hewlett. Mr. Millsr with his usual h amour, said, 1 liavo often spoken here before, and tho audience complained that they could not rue, nor yet understand me, being a Scotchman, it may be that what I say is too liioh = for the capacity of Englishmen. I will speak up as°woll as I can, but I am not bound to bring my speech so as to meet the meanest capacity. As there are present a good many bachelors I will make a few remarks to them, I wa3 one a long time myself, but years teach wisdom," The bachelor's court is tho oldest on record £.11 d without doubt holds priority, for the Book of books tell us, that over G,OOO years ago, God said, "It is not wood for man to bo alone." Ho thought a proper age at which to marry was, 2-5, 27, or 30 years of age, but he thought not before 25 ; ho had nothing to say against bachelors ; they are an honorable order, commencing at the beginning and would doubtless continue to the end of time, s:ill they added but little to tho population ; tho Rev Jtr. t-mith had talked about union ; but it reminded him of a minister who once said, "Doas I eay but not as I do." Two are better than one, for then if one fall, the other may help him up. In some places you may go for miles without seeing a smoking chimney, or hearing a cock crow, but if by chance you drop on to a bsicholor'3 whare, how dark and dreary it look.-, without any better-half, no small sweet foot-fall of the for sex ; the bachelors looks to the right and to the left and does not se9 any one thoie, he excites tho ridicule of the other sex, ;n sickness he has no friend to sympathise, nor in death to shed a tear; l-.t him go the way of all bachelors, his remains may be accompanied by usual paraphernalia, " mimicking sorrow where tlio heart's not s'id," Tho bachelor is lookel upon as an encumbrance of tb« ;<-<3Vad. Certainly one passage said " K > cUa- notdoetli better." He lately sow 1-:/ Mint of tbc Registrar Gcnr'rj! in England, stating that the average ago of married men exceeded that of bachelors by 19i year 3. The bachelors possessed the elements of longevity alike with others, had they only kind partners to nourish and cheer them. His advice wa3 haste, haste, ye bachelors, fly for your lives (marry).

The CHiisitiK thought he must putin a word on behalf of bachelors, the I'ev. Mr. Smith being one, and adroitly turning round, asked if he heard ilr. S. say it would cot be for long, and then begging pardon, said he does not visli to disclose. Ihe Chairman tlioug li bachelors should not marry before 25 or 30 years of ege. Mr Ivav, another gentleman, and two ladies from Wangarei then sung a piece, with good taste, and were much applauded.

Sir. C. Osp.quhn'e observed that times change, sometimes (as at present) lor the vvor-jt'; but the-word of God was unchangeable. Wo may all i&t a change hero for the better, the Church had got pair.toj, and hopsci soon to s?o the land fenced in, and grass growng thereon, mid '.hat the Church would not remain closed bo long as it had lately been, but that service of gome kind would be held therein every Sabbath. If tksy could not support a minister to attend regularly, the intervals might be filled up by meetings for singing, and prayer, and reading the ■Scriptures —ao that tbe settlers may be led to " Forsake not the assembling of themselves together he took the fact of so rnany being present as an indication of their willingness to aid tho Committed according to their ability.

The CHAimtAxjquite agreed with the suggestion to meet regularly every Sabathfor divine worship, without which they could not to ilouri-hin their own families.

Mr. H. "Wilson then made a few remarks, bat the low tone in which they were delivered, and the peltiDg of the rain on the building at tie time prevented us from hearing more than that the natives of Mangakaia were about to build a church at their own expense.

Patti, a native from the above place, th?n said that he had raised £100 to build a church but wonted more money, and if any one present wished to contribute he would be glad to receive it. Mr. Daniel Wilson said (he having explained above) did not wish to identify himself in any way with the subscription, but would observe that those natives who had not Europeans amongst thom, ho had found to bs the most hospitable and kind. ITe then gave a very interesting cccount of the first settlement of Now Zealand by the natives as ho had gathered it fom them. He said they came hero from the very island where Captain Cook wa3 killed. One of them, rau off with the wife of another, and .whilst in a canoe they were carried away during a etorm and landed here, afterwards favorable accounts of New Zealand having reached their native place several other canoe 3 start ed for hero with a number more of them, who steering their course by the star, (for t;:oy ware great astronomers) arrived in New Zealand, one canoe at Mangawai, one at tho Thames, and another at Hoiianga, living in pas on the hills for defence and cultivating the land below, b .Lag plenty of employment aud the locality on the lii'ls being healthy they increased \?vy fast, until lii y.-'-iH ago, wh6u acquiring fiid-arais—and n eei*-(bey begr.u to dwell t fbni&v '.yiss i~Ump, vuH.v'ihhp 'vSa"-* —?.iand ctier Kcqu»r<jJ vie;>•>, hwr® fin u v;J. jLo ivv;. ?, ibzt s' far war, - '.mo si-K- were decr-ssic* fur fj Site, than fet.s-j- formerly increased ~i in i-it ftjMaica -ib ov SO years hence there would b6 fejiJ very iew left, aud these only as straggling vagabonds. After another performance on the harmonium by Miss Hewlett, who was always applauded, The Chairman aftor remarking on tho continued rain, called on Mr. Boag, whosungasong, after which Mr. O'Meara, on being called on, said ho was taken by surprise, for whilst you have been speakin" and otherwise _ amusing yourselves, I have been working hard in preparing for tho perusal of the present proceedings (we believe as correspondent to the Southern Cross and Weekly News) ; you must therefore, excuse me, and go on ; he then gave a short comment on some remarks made previously, recommending the continuance of the improvements ; begin with the Church, end ulso the fencing in of tho Cemetary, and sowing it down in grass, so that the remains of those interred therein may be safe from the desecrations of cattle, &c., trespassing thereon. Mr. Kat then proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies' for the preparation of the tea, making a few brief remarks on the three great events in a man's life, viz., his birth, marriage, and death. The vote was carried with acclamation.

Mr,.J. W. Taylo,h M.P.0., responded on behalf of the Ladies, observing that, doubtless, they would be quite ready to answer any similar call made upon them in future.

' Bev. J. Smith moved a vote of thanka to the ladies and gentleman who had so largely contributed to their evening's entertainment, by discoursing sweet musio, and singing. Carried unanimously. IMiafl Hewlett again enlivened the company, when Mr. Harkis the Secretary, stated briefly that wo are painting the building ; to fence will cost from £10 to £15, the funds are low, and a 9 we cannot stand still, nor recede, we must advance, and to do so we must have funds, for gojon we must; we look confidentially for support, and respectfully thank those who have favoured us with their presence'thia'ovening. He rain continuing, Mr. Hbwsox gave a recitation. After which a vote of thanks feeing given to the Chairman, the Dosology having been sung, and the Benediction pronounoed by Mr. Smith, the company separated.—(CoMMcnaCATiD.)