ANNUAL REGATTA, 1871.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2189, 31 January 1871, Page 2

ANNUAL REGATTA, 1871.

Even iu these dull times -we are glad to see that the naval spirit of Auckland ran revive and that the regatta is sufficient toiuduee an interested crowd to throng the wharf and every other post commanding a view of the harbor. A sailing race or u pulling match seems to have an attraction for Auckland which no other sport possesses. Auckland is essentially nautical, and an occasion like that of yesterday ivill draw the inhabitants together when nothing else will prevail. This is a very nutu-r.-il feeling to exist in the minds of our people, sinoo anv chances which Auckland may have of ever being n. place of importance rest entirely in her natural advantages as a central port of unrivalled superiority for the Pacific trade; and although Sir Charles Wont worth Dilkc pronounces a very decided opinion against Now Zealand in favour of Japan as the future mart for the Pacific portion of the world's trade, we cannot but think that the fault, will lie with ourselves if wo permit anything in the way of busiuess Eouth of the lino to slip through our fingers. ~Wc certainly have ou former year 3 seen a more general interest shown in the regatta, but still we had hardly expected things to hare succeeded as well as they have done, and, on this occasion, there can be no grumbling at the manner in which matters have turned out. It was a great disappointment to people that the City of Auckland could not occupy thn position of flagship. A vessel built expressly for our trade, and named after the place, seems to have a right to the post of honor. Save, however, 1 he natural regret felt at the circumstances which occasioned an alteration in this part of the day's programme, there was nothing left to wish for. The flagship this year was the Colonial Government p.s. Luna, and a more convenient, vessel for the purposo it would be difficult to find. Captain Fairchild, her commander, has been for a number of years favourably known amongst the colonists of New Zealand, and it is to his courtesy that the Regatta Club Committee are indebted for the use of his ship. The Luna proved just the vessel that was required. Her saloon accommodation, and space on deck, were the theme of universal commendation ,■ and it would, perhaps, have been a difficult matter to have found a vessel in every way better suited for the purpose designed. Captain Fairchilrl exhibited every desire to make hi 3 guests as comfortable as possible ; and tho whole ship's company seemed determined to do the most in their power to further the ends of the meeting. For some days before anniversary-day the weather was such as would not have been very favourable for a regatta, to the sailing portion of the race 3 at any rate, and people began to fear that, contrary to custom, the eelebration-day of the thirty-first yeiir of the colony would be almost too fine. However, i.m Sunday— the day—the wind changed from iiorth to west, and blew pretty fresh, ami yesterday morning was ushered in with a fine south-westerly breeze and cloudy weather, lhe day had been gazetted as a public holiday, and the citizens seemed nothing loth to carry out the suggestion. All who hud bunting to display hoisted the same at eight o'clock, and the shipping was one mass of

•Seriug colours. Queen-street was especially .■■'■ ieuous, «nd at the lower end the houses • -relinked together by festoons of colours. Tli-'. Wnitemata and Thames Hotels were not amongst the least, observable in this matter; but everyone did his best, and;.tho result was pleasing. The Lady Boweu was from an earlv hour busily engaged in taking members of the Regatta Club and their freinds on board the llugsiiip. And the watermen found abundance of work in conveying off those who lacked the patience to wait for the ordinary mode of transit. The harbor was very lively. The blue waters were dotted with innumerable sails, from '.lie large briguntino and schooner to tho waterman's lioat with his dungaree sprit-sail. Every one who hud a few yards of canvas scizeil the opportunity of airing it, and tho result was one of lbi: most cheerful exhibitions that. Auckland has ever seen. Several yachts crui-e<! about during the day with pleasure parties, without taking part in any of the races, and conspicuous amongst these we observed the Oreraldiue and the Ada, both vessels well known in these waters. The Royal Alfred cruised nbout the harbor crowded with passengers, following some of the races, and enabling her passengers to obtain a very good view of all that was going on. The committee for tho carrying out of the regatta this year was the same as on the last occasion, and we must say that they deserve every credit for the manner in which their details were carried out. 3lr. John Copland occupied the onerous postion of starter, a post which he has tilled for many years, ami[never with more satisfaction to everyone than yesterday. Oaptaut Clayton took the part of umpire, as at last year's regatta, and we believe that no one could have been cho.-ou for the part who wa3 so well qualified to carry out its duties to the minutest detail. His Honor the Superintendent visited the flagship during the day, and amongst those on board we noticed many of our leai'ing citizens. Tho Volunteer Band, under the conduct of Bandmaster MeComish, lent material aid in rendering the day pleasant, and a variety of popular music, performed during the intervale of tho races, contributed nota little to tho success of the day. First Race, 9.30 a.m.: Trading Vessels, over 25 tons. Prizes: Ist, Silver Cup, presented by Messrs. Shaw, Savtlle and Co., value -25 guineas, and £10 added : 2nd, £10; 3rd, £5. Course: From south side of Flagship, round Tiri Tin, passing from west to east, keeping Tiri Tiri on starboard hand, coming in on south side of Flagship. Nautilus, 29 tons, Hooper; Saucj Lass, 38 tons, ItlcKenzie ; Sovereign of the i-eas, 29 tons, Josephs ; Mary Eliza, 30 tons, Sellars. The vessels got into position well in time, the breeze being light at S.S.W., and flood tide. The Sovereign got caura3 up first, but was followed closely by the schooner, the Mary Eliza making" a third. The Nautilus's people appeared to be half asleep, and made a bad start." As long as the vessels were in sight from the flagship they maintained the same position, rounding the North Head as above. The Mary Eliza made a fair third. After rounding the North Head the Mary Eliza went ahead of everything, followed by the sovereign of tho Seas. From the Keef to Tiritir;, the wind being variable, the several vessels gained and lost upon one another. Approaching Tiritiri the breeze freshened, the Saucy Imss then leading by about one mile, tho cutters beiug within the heave of a biscuit of one another. At the commencement of the beating match the llary Eliza showed herse'f and walked ahead of everything, but in standing over to the western shore she carried away her runner, and had.to go about and stand an ay to the eastward to repair. The wind Tearing to the ■w:siTaH 1 the other ressels

then had the advantage, and the Nautilus, for j the first time, showed up in iVont. '.Thence it j ■was a fair beating match, up to the flagship. I The wind f.;ll light as the Teasels came, and, ! through, a catspaw, the Sovereign came in I winner. > The race ended thus :— 1 hrs. min. sees. Sovereign ... ... 7 15 8 Xautilus ... ... 7 17 43 Vriics : Ist,'Aid • 2u'u, £lO: 3rd'.'£s. Course: From south side of Flagship, round a black buoy off Drunken Bar, thence round flagboat off Stokes , Point, coming in on south side of Flagship. Wanderer, 23 tons, Clarke ; Swift, 15 tons, Beaton ; Cornstalk, 19 tons, bushel; Francis, 15 tons, White ; Avon, IS tons, Warm ; Katarina, Borrowdale, 17 tons, Walts ; Don, 21 tons, Kasp-.ir; Severn, IS tons, Ebborn ; Catherine, 16 tons, Bacon. This was a tolerably good race. jSTearly all the boats are well-known Auckland traders. There were two post entries, the Rocket and the Wave, but the race from the beginning ■ appeared to be in the hands of some of the : old craft. The breeze was just the thing for ; boats of the kind, and was well adapted for i trying their capabilities. The race ended thus:— hrs. min. sec 3. Avon 1 20 ?0 Uon 1 27 25 Severn 1 30 30 j The Wanderer went away at the beginning ; with a good start, followed by the Avon, the ; Katarina Borrowdale making a good third ; j the Socket came out from Freeman's Bay after the start and let go his killoek in ignorance of the start. He afterwards started in company with the Catherine, who made the same mistake, nnd of com se neither boat made any show. Third P.acc. 10.30 a.m : Sailing Boats or Yachts of any class, under 7 tons. Prizes : Ist, £10 ; 2nd, £5 : 3rd, £3. Course : From south side of Flagship, round flaghoat moored off Stokes" Point, thoncu round chequered buoy in Rangitoto Channel, comiug in on south side of Flagship. Centre-boards (if any) will bp sealed up or down. Cliquofc, 5 tons, Graham ; Peepo'dar, 3 tons, Oliver ; Kate, 3 tons, Cope ; Cambria, 2t- tons, Bees ; Crest, 4 tons, J. Clark ; Vivid, •1 tons, Ryan ; Galatea, 5 tons, G-raydon ; Surah Ann, 4A tons, Betts ; Katarina, 3 tons, Williams ; Frolic, 4 tons, Daere ; San Francisco, 4 tons, Clark ; Wonder, 4 tons, HenIdersou ; Barr, 3 tons, Jones ; Ripple, 7 tons, White ; Lilly, 6J- tons, Hunt; Foam, -IV tons, , Sanford.

This was a pretty race. The muster of the mosquito fleet was quite a spectacle in itself. It is really a matter for surprise where all these little vessels spring from on an occasion like the present. They seem to come into being like the little insect to which we liken them, and their snowy wings dotting the blue expanse of water form a most charinins picture of life. Great difficulty was experienced in getting such a crowd fairly started, but at last everything was satisfactorily managed, and the little fleet got away in firttclass style. The centre-boarders nil had their keels sealed up or down, as the case may be. The little Cambria had her topsail stolen the night before the race, and this circumstance was strongly against her during the struggle. We wish the miserable depredator bad luck. The way in which these little vessels hung together after the commencement, was quite amusing, and for some time none seemed to be able to get away from another. The Lilly, however, was well to windward, and by a little judicious handling, weathered the Stoke's Point Flagboat with less tacking than her rivals. This she accomplished at 11.6 o'clock, and was shortly followed by the Ripple. Sheets were then eased away and bonnets, ringtails, and every possible stitch of canvass was the order of the day, some of the boats unhooking their jibs and booming them out to windward. The Flagship was passed in the following order :—

hrs. min. sees. My 11 1 20 Ripple 11 3 35 Katarina ... ... 11 4 5 Galatea 11 5 Iβ After rounding the chequered buoy of course the word was a clean full and by, and after a real good testing of their sailing qualities the affair ended, — hrs. min. sees. Ripple 12 40 50 Foam 12 42 25 Gniatea 12 41 47 Lily 12 42 15 The Lily would have taken the prize but for an unfortunate mistake. She passed the Flagship on the north side at 12.35 o'clock, and on finding out. her ruistuke had to tack ship and pass to windward. [Wo have been informed that t.he Crest was the fourth to round the Flagship, but our published times are from the Umpire's book.] Fourth Race, 11 a.m.: Licensed Cargo Boats. rrizes: Ist, £12 : 2nd, .'JC; 3rd, .£2. i.'ourse : Same as second race. Annie, 12 tons, Smith ; Albert, 12 tons, Pace ; Teaser, 14 tons, Copland; Diamond, 12 tons, Holmes. The Suuipter inade a post entry and also made the running. The race nevertheless was a good one, ami the vessels kept tolerably close together, as will be seen by the following result: — hrs. min. sees. Sumptcr 2 22 50 Albert 2 32 Diamond 2 37 30 At first the Albert gave promise of great tilings, and got away with a. famous lead ; but i tlie Sumpter was too many for her in the long run. Kifth Race, 11.30 a.m. : Amateur Scullers Match. Prize: Ist, Silver Cup, value eight guineas. Course : From south side of Flagship, round flagboat off Cooper's Bay, coming in on south side of Flagship. Once round. Colonial Tiger, Mc&echie ; Amateur, Fletcher ; Mosquito, Provo ; Swift, Brown. This was a race which had been looked forward to, perhaps, more than any other race on tho programme. The disappointment at its results was proportionate. Only three men "put in an appearance, Brown being late ; and I at the start lie could be seen mil'liy paddling \ somewhere in the vicinity of Mechanics' j Bay. McGechie was, by far, the best ! oculler of tlie lot. The steering was unutter- j ably wild, and soon after the commencement j Provo's boat filled and sank beneath him. ! McGechie then had the rnee in his otvn Jiands, I and the Flagboat was rounded thus: — ' hrs. min. sees. i Colonial Tiger ... 11 53 15 Amateur ... ... 11 53 5 Soon after rounding the mark the Tiger capsized —we have not the remotest reason why—and the Amateur took the prize. The I race was a duffer. Tlie time was— | hrs. min. sees. Amateur 12 9 30 Sixth Race, 12 noon: Licensed "Watermen , * Boits,. pair-oared. Prizes: Ist, £8: 2nd, PA ; 3rd, save stakes. Course: Same as fifth ra? s. Blanche, G. Strong; Heien, linr> • Pria ,<> Alfred, Pillinger; Resey, aif.raaaL , : . G. Strong. The boats got away very nicely, and the rowing was plucky throughout. "vif-yonc took an interest in the contest, aad the men npuearccl to be well up to their work. The result was— hrs. min. sees. Prince Alfr ... 12 25 10 Helen 12 26 30 Blanche 12 27 0 Seventh Eao«, 2 p.m.: Four-oared Giijs, the property of any recognised clu in Auckland, rowed by members. Prizes: Ist, £15; 2nd, £5. Course : Same as fifth race, twice round. Manukau Maid, A.R.C ; Spitfire, A.R.C.; Sons of Colonists, A.R.C. We might here take occasion to go in for a homily on "time," "stroke," "form," and every other qualification that is generally supposed to make up an oarsman, since, in every crew, we could easily observe that every known and recognised rule in rowing "was grossly infringed. Manning's crew ■worked too hard altogether. They started off with a stroke of forty-two to tho tninute, — something utterly ridiculous for the course to b? traTss-sccl. At the same tirv.r, their s^-lo

I was, perhaps—as far as we could observe from. j the flagship-the best of the lot- The winning crew had a slower stroke, bnt not half i enough " swing," aud, in every ca*e, the 1 " time " was simply execrable, '/lie Sons of i Colonists caved in after the first round, and J the race was between the two other crews, the Spitfire's winning easily thus :— hr=. min. sees. Spitfire a 4G 0 Jlanukau Maid ... 2 47 30 The distance was gradually increased throughout the race by the Spit(lre"s crew, their slower stroke tellinir on t!iu killing time of the Jlaid's men. The names of the winning crew are—Proro (stroke), Rice, Marshall, Ellis. Eighth Race, 2.50 p.m.: Merchant Ships' <;ijs. Prizes: Ist, £10 ; 2nd, £5. Course : Same as fifth race. City of Auckland, As-hby ; Tvenilworth, McKenzie; Golden Crown, Koss. Here was another race closely contested. The style of boat was of cour.-e heavy, and the pulling was "according." It was good i of ita sort, and the rice was a push between ; the Golden Crown and Keuilworth. Tile ; finish was : — i hrs. min. see. Golden Crown ... 2 51 50 Keiiilnrorlh 2 51 5G Koval Alfred 2 54 30 I According to the programme, the fourI oared gig race, for all comers, should have ! come off next, but as the same crews were ! competing, breathing time was allowed them, '. and the diocy race was started. I Tenth Ka.ce, 3.30 p.m.: Dingies under 11 feet overall, rowed by boys under 1G years of age, born in the Colony. Prizes : Ist, £:5: 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £1. Course to be decided by Starter. The course was round the coal hulk of Hβchiiuics' Bay, and the race was inosfc aniusing. Any amount of small bets were made on the event at the commencement, and the green flag was decidedly the favorite at first. The end was :— lirs. min. sees. Scud I 3 33 50 Fly 3 34, 15 Rosoy 3 3t 30

At tlie four-oared race, open to all, there was merely a transfer of crews. The Spitfire and Sons of Colonists pulled well together during the first round, after which the Sons of Colonists cavi-d in, considering their boat too heaYV. At this time the Maid was a long way astern. In rounding the boat off Mechanica' Bay, the Maid stood well in towards Wynyard Pier out of the tide, her coxswain, Fletcher, judging rightly that he would thereby gain in the long run. The result was to the surprise of all, that the Maid came in about 3 lengths ahead of the other boat, and, greatly to the surprise of all, won the race. The credit lie 3 with the coxswain. The crew of the winning boat were Atkyns (stroke), Daere, E. Graham, and Gr. Henderson. The sculling match was won by Clare, "Waymouth being second. The otiier boa gave in soon after the race commenced. "We understand that a protest has bee loged by the crew of the City of Auckland ngaicst the ■winners of the ships' gigs race, on the ground that the boat was not manned bj , members of the ship's company. In t'ie second race the Wave has lodged a protest against the Francis. On the whole we cannot hut congratulate the Club upon the decided success of the regatta of 1871, and we hope that next year will find us with as fine a fleet of competing vessels, and a community as able and willing to assist in the carrying out of us flourishing a regatta as that which we have ju=t celebrated.

ANNUAL SWIMMING- RAGES, It was rather a fortunate circumstance that caused the annual swimming matches to be postponed this year, and that the committee had fixed Regatta Day or Anniversary Day for this acquatio display. There appears, on this occasion, to have been a greater zest for competitive exhibition than in former years, and the result was an afternoon's sport which, vra-, of its kind, more genuine, because more exciting and varied than, perhaps, the grace- • ful running of the yachts which wei-o contending for prizes in the harbour. Hveryone was abroad holiday-making, and there is no form which pleasure assumes so steadily as that which is derived from competitive skill. It is this turn that gives such a thoroughly practical tendency to all English amusements. To Major Hamley is due the credit of starting these annual swimming matches. Their purpose was,'very apparent at the time, for nothing was more common than to hear of young men being drowned in crossing creeks, and in nearly every case of such an accident, it became known ihat the unfortunate person could not ewiru. The experiment, under Major Hamley, was eminently successful. It has been determined to perpetuate so practical and pleasurable a form of sport. Several gentlemeu in the town subscribed liberally towards prizes, and a committee of management was lit once formed to give effect to this Jaudab'e purpose. Of these we may mention Mr. James Smart, Mr. Thomas MuelTarlane, and Mr. James Burth, whose efforts brought the sports of yesterday to a great success. There were nearly four hundred persons who paid at the doors, and tho competitors were proportionately numerous. The programme comprised eight " events," to which the " walking a greasy pole for fat turkeys" formed an exciting eonjlusion. Thi3 last scene is always indescribably ludicrous, but in these baths, as there is no fear of clothes being soaked, or a " ducking," such attempts are very eagerly sought., greatly to the concern of the turkeys. The Duck Hunts, too, are exciting to all, the " ducks" ineluded. The following are the results of the several races :— Fibst R-a.ce, Swiirars-e.—Boys under 12 years ; distance, 50 yards. First prize, 15s ; second, 7s 6d. There were six entries, viz.: Kirby, Balneavis, Brown, J:ick, Me Sarin. Balneavis and Jack were declared tlxe vrinI ners. I Second Race, Swnrarxc. —Boys under IS I years ; distance, 100 yards. First prize, 30s ; ■ second ditto, 15«. This race was well contested. The entries were —Merrimau, Dickey, ! Sam, and Sonthcot. Merriman (1) and [ Dickey (2) were declared the winners, and rej ceived the prizee. ; Third Race, Divrsa ros Plate.—Prize, 20s. A young man named Neven, a sailor, won this prize by considerable odds. Fourth Race, Swimming.—Open to all I ages ; distance, 150 yards. First prize, 40s ; ' second prize, 20s. This race was also stoutlycontested. There were a good many entries, but the competitors, in several instances, did I not give their names. However, the winners or the prizes were declared to be, Grimley (1), I Williams (2). J Fifth Bacb, Duong Longest Distance. j —Boys tiiider 12 years. Prize 103. McEwin I ivon this prize. j Sixth Rack, Drrtxe Longest Distaxcb. ! —Boys under 16 year 3. Prize 15s. Syan ! "won thu prize. I StfViSTH Race, DrrnfG Longest Distascz. !—AUages. Prize 20e. This prize was taken fry Kelly. For the eighth event, for -whieli a prize had been given by the hon. D. McLean, there irre no entries. "Walking the greasy poles for the turkey gave promising birds to sereral young gea tiemen. Ridings, Blandford, and Cu pin walked off with the turkeys. Snodgrass, after a successfa , . achievement of balancing accomplished v.he goose, and several younger and minor ndvsnturers appropriated the ducks, of ! which there were several. I Taken as a whole, the result must be regarded as very satisfactory. The sports paid J their own expenses, with something over, j which -will no doubt, go to enhance the value i of the prizes for the next occasion. "Wβ are "well ' pleased to be informed that these matches are attracting nat onlyattention, but receiving en- ' couragement in several quarters. Under such auspices they cannot fail to increase in prominence iu future years. We have great pleasure in making public the fact, that Mr. Beck, jeweller, Queen-street, has given a valuable silver cup to the winner of three races. This Biuit be regarded for lome time to come as the "Ohu'ii!■>!•>!; Swimi*>prV* cun. We fchall be

1.9 glad to liner of such liberality being imitate! in other quarters. As to she swimming itself, it was a gre.it improvement, on former vears. }n that, siihtle quality called " style," Is, after n.ll, indicative of economy of strength, the result of practice and endurance, there was a very marked advance. Wo were pleased to see that the committee themselves, who took nil the pains and trouble, appeared to participate must heartily in the enjoyment. Where it is the enjoyment to contribute to the amusement of others, there mav be a ere:.t deal of fatigue, but on this occasion the s; 0.-t m:ulo no such demand, and the whole thing was a complete success. Q BALL AT THE MRCHANICS' INSTITUTE. Last evening, a ball of the amalgamated Foresters and Odd Fellows camo off at the above Institute, and was very successful About (Virty couples were present, and danein" iv&s kept up with great spirit until about one o'clock, when the company cat down to n very excellent repast. After cupper, a number of to-ists were proposed, and responded to; dancing was then resumed and kept up till an early or rather a lute hour, in the morning. A verv exeelleht band, under the able eonductorship of ~Sh: i£cComish, bandmaster of tho Auckland Rifle "Volunteers, was present. The ball reflects great credit upon the committee, of whom the following gentlemen are- the members: — ilessrs. Tulbot, Jamie?on, Scrivener, Treiiworth, Miller, Smith, LTooper, and Cole. ■&■ THEATRK BOYAL. TiiCT.E was a full house at Ull3 place of amusement last evening, -when the performance commenced with tho scini-nautical drama entitled '-The Lonely Man of the Ocean," and concluded with the capital burlesque of "X'-.p Invisible Prince," which was exceedingly well put upon the stage and played throughout, tlio dresses and scenery being particularly g'ojcl. The burlesque is very smartly written and bristling with witticisms, and passed oil , much smoother than is usually the case with a first, night's representation. It was a great success and is to be repeated this evening.

PRE3BYTERTAX CHURCH.— x\OKTH SHOKE.

The Annual Soiree in connexion with the above place of worship wtis held yesterday evening, in Mr. Niccol's boat-shed, at the patent sliy. Tea was placed on the table at 5 o'clock, the tables beinn presided over by Mesdames Wyles, Combic, R. Somerville, Buchanan, Leuek, and Niccol. About one hnudred and fifty people sat. down to tea, after ■which a public" meeting was held, the Rev. Mr. McNieoll presiding. The proceedings ■were materially enlivened by Mr. Culpan at t:ie harmonium, assist, d by n few amateurs, who diversities the proceedings with singing.— Ihv pro.'i'i-iiinus were opened , by the choir singing the 'Je Dt-um, after which the chairman made a short opening address ; and in doing so paid a high encomium on their minister, Mr. SomervilK-, and referred to a sliaht aci-i----deut vfhich had happened to that gentleman in the eouse of the afternoon, which prevented bis attendance that evening. Although Mr. Somerville was not yet in a position to\mdertake all the duties of a pastor, y.-t before long he doubtless would be. He had learned that the Kev. Mr. Bruce, during his absence in the old country, had been examining candidates for the colonial ministry, so that ere long there would most probably be a sutliciency of ministers for the province. —Choir: "Oh be joyful in the Lord."—Mr. Beveridge : Herniation, "The May Queen." —Choir: Glee, "Teli me. roses, truly tell" (Orpheus).—Mr. T. Maefiarlar.e next addressed the meeting. He w;ts sori-y to learn that the Church was in debt, and he urged xipon the congregation the necessity of making systematic efforts for the removal of that debt. In the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland it was a favorite idea that a debt upon a Church was a good thing. But among modern Presbyterian Churches that idea was exploded, and he doubted that, if they continued to have a debt upon their Church, whether a minister coul i be induced to oilicir.te for them.—Recitation by Mr. White. " The Vulgar Boy."—Choir : Glee, " Evening."— Recitation by the Masters Niecol, li i3ri-.tus and Cassius."—Captain Rattray made a humorous speech on the subject of the Duke of Hamilton's regiment, the increase of bad teeth and dentists in New Zealand, together with tiie chemic-il components of wheat u:id Lamb's digestive biscuits.—Choir : Glee, "The Chp.pel."—Ke-itation : "The deaf old lady," Mr. 11 urrit.—Choir: Glee.—Recitation : "The foot man and tho Dutchman's daughter," by Mr. White—Recitation : "Soda water," Mr. Eeveridge.—Recitation by the Masters Niccol, " Rhoderic Dhu."—Mr. Walter Grahame nropo.-e i a vote of thank-: to the ladies ■n-iio had provided the trays, which was carried with acclamation.—After a vote of thanks to tke choir and the chairman, the meeting was brought to a conclusion by the choir singing " God save the Queen."