ALBERTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2483, 10 January 1872, Page 3

ALBERTLAND.

This quiet district has boon put out of its u*ual routine of events at Christmas time this ye u\ It may bo we have done something j worth chronicling, in thai. we have taken the lirst determined step towards raising a fund for the erection of a Settlers' Ilall. The way in which it has been done was a public tea lea and entertainment, which took place on the Thurtiday alter Christmas Day. A committee having been appointed to make mid carry out, arrangements, decided to obtain trays, each tray to provide for 25. Everyone took a very earnest part ill (he affair, thus, provision wus very soon promised Or 220 Besides the bodily wants, a number went busily to work making articles of amusement " —Aunt Sally," skittles, archery, &e. -Everything promised for a success, until Wednesday (the day preceding the event), when the weather broke, the ruin coming down steadily, promising for u wet morrow. However, to wards sunset, the clouds broke, dispelling any fears of rain till this event, was over. A cricket match that had been arranged between the \V haliapir.iu and To Arai clubs came off, and helped to add to the sports of the dij. The wickets were pitched on J. G. Dudluy, farm, in a beautifully level paddoek that 1 ad kindly been lent for this occasion. Despite the good ground, the play was not bo good as it might have been on the part of the Ami Club, but they are newly formed and have had but little practice. The Whakapirau won in one innings. —At about five o'clock the tompany repaired to Mr. Nicholson's flax-shed, Mai Neno Falls, which had been kindly lent, where a plentiful tea was provided. After tea a programme of music and recitations was commenced by an excellent prologue, written for the occasion, and delivered by Mr. E. Browne. The chairman then stated, that as the arrange* meniii had been made to amuse the company, speeclu-s, &0., would be deferred until another tune, and the programme proceeded with. The " Carnival" was given, and well received. Numbers of coppers were thrown on the Btugo. Recitation, Mr. William Annstrong, well given ; quartette, " Fuewellto iho Forest; song, " Evangeline," nicely re.idered by Mr. G. C. Nicholson ; recitation, Goldsmith's " Lhiunch ot Venison,' by Mr. E. Browne, received with great applause; glee, ' " Red Cross Knightsong, " Give me back my mountain home/' Airs. W. Dudding and Miss i Dudding, well received; a good reading was then given by Mr. J. W. C. Smith -/solo, cornopean, "Pretty Jane," by Mr. \V. Perkins; glee, " Hark, 'Lis the Indian drum recitation, '' Sailor's apology for bow-legs," by Mr. E. Browne," encored and responded to bv part of Goldsmith's "Deserted Villagenong, " Motto for every man," Richards ; duet, " Oh, may'st thou dream of me," Airs. W. Dudding and Air. Geo. Nicholson, very tastefully sung and accompanied ; glee, t4 All among the barley;" eolo, pianoforte, Mi\ W. Perkins, repeated encores. A comic fares concluded the programme, when the room

was cleared for a dance, wuich was kept uj. until an early hour. The proceeds of this entertainment, toge-her with moneys obtained through "Aunt Saly," &c, amounted to over £9. The company went awny evidently well pleased with the day's sport.—[Own correspondent.]