MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4852, 5 June 1877, Page 2

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

On the evening of the '2Sth May, the first meeting this season of the members of tho Auckland Institute was held iu the lectureroom of the Museum. There was an excellent attendance, and the meeting was presided over by Mr. K. C. Barstow, President for the presont year. The roll of new members was read, and the list of donations made to the Museum and Library was read, after which the President delivered his inaugural address. The address was not devoted to any special branch of physical science, but was a general review of the position of science, contrasting the present with various past periods of the world's history. This was followed by a lengthy paper "On the Study of Statistics," by Mr. i< , . J. Moss. A paper from Captain Broun was read by tho Secretary upon various indigenous Uoleoptera. Mr. Uheeseman, F. L.S., read a paper upon the Fertilisation ot the Clossostigma, a species of sensitive plant. The discussion on the various papers was deferred to the next meeting, which is to be held on the 25th iustant.

The usual monthly meeting of the Auckland Trade and Labour Council was held at the Foresters' Arms Hotel, Albert-street, on the 4th of June. There was a good attendance of delegates representing the several trade societies. The principal business beforo the meeting was the consideration of the painters' dispute with their employers. After discussing the subject, resolutions were passed regretting that the painters' strike had terminated in "a very unsatisfactory failure," and condemning the management of tho Painters' Operative Society. A special meeting of the Maliuraugi Library Committee was held on 2'Jth May, in the Public Hall, for the purpose of receiving a donation of books, given to the library by Captain Casey, of Auckland. This donation consisted of 20 volume.-", handsomely bound in calf—a complete copy of the "Eucyco noiJia Britauuicii."—lt was unanimously resolved, " That the thanks of the committee be given to Captaiu Casey for his very valuable donation, and that the chairman and secretary be directed to convey to Captain Casey this cordial vote of thanks." — Captain Casey has received the following letter :—" Dea.r Sir, —We have great pleasure in complying with the direction of the Library Committee, and conveying to you their vote of thanks. In doing so we may take the liberty of saying that this is only one of many acts of kindness shown by you. in our district. We sincerely thank yon. —We are, &0., It. McKinnkv, Chairman ; Alkxandhk Campbell, Secretary."

Mr. IJ. Sehwarzbaeh delivered a lecture on the .Sljt May, in the Lornc-strect Hall, on " The ICye and its Functions,' , to an appreciative audience. The proceeds are to be appropriated in aid of the funds of the Orphan Asylum. Mr. G. Von der ileyde ntrodueed Mr. Schwarzbaeh. The leciurer is, we aro informed, a pupil of an eminent occulist of Berlin, and in view of that circumstance alone, thorough)}' competent to deal with the subject. The lecture was divided into three parts—(l) The explanation of the physiological structure of the organ and the enumeration of its unctions ; (2) observations upon its sanitary care and treatment; (3) the language or "symbolics" of its conduct as an index of the mind. The lecture was au attempt to popularise a seicntilic subject, and, in this particular obtained a very large measure of success.

A meeting; of members of the North Shore Literary and Scientific Club and others, was

held on May 30, at the school-room adjoining Trinity Church, Devonport. There was an attendance of 25 people, including many of the leading residents. On the motion of Mr. M. Kiecol, the Rev. J. Bates took the chair. The Chairman called on the Secretary to read the report. The Secretary (Mr. Burgess) read the report, as follows : — " Your committee have to report that on the 1570, a general meeting was held, at 12th May, which the following committee was appointed, viz., Messrs. Tanner, Nolan, Buchanan, Bates, Cochrane, aud Burgess. During the session, six meetings were held, at which papers were read on the following subjects, viz., " Work," " Fame," "Literary Societies," "War," " Name 3 of Places," " Word Meanings," "Proverbs." Readings and recitations were given three evenings, a "Spelling Bee," and a lecture by Mr. Rees. In consequence of bad weather, four meetings fell through. No meetiugs of the society were held in 1870 ; the general impression being that it would be futile to attempt meetiugs of the ociety considering the little interest taken by members during every session. The committee have now to recommend that the society be formed into a club for providing a reading-room, library, lectures, &c.; the credit balance of £4 19s sd, and the library of about 130 books bo transferred to the club." A pleasant evening was spent. An entertainment of a musical character was given on Ist June , in the Lorne-streut Hall, by St. Matthew's Sunday-school choir, assisted by the " Orpheus Glee Ckib No. 2," a band of young desirous of emulating the excellence attained by the older '' Orpheu Glee Club." The entertainment was pro jected as a means of rcising funds for the purchase of a new harmonium for the school, and taking the crowded state of the building last night, the proceeds should not be inconsiderable. The programme was faithfully adhered to, and the majority of the youthful performers were loudly applauded. The choruses, thanks to the assistance rendered by the Glee Club, were very agreeably rendered, though a little unsteadiness was perceptible at times. 'Die songs and choruses were : —" Happy are We," Mr. Fred. Massey aud choir;" Under the Willow," M isses Ellen Wrightand Carrie Chappel and choir; "Some Folks Bo," Mr. Fred. Massey aud choir. Songs wore given by Misses Wad del, Bella Waddel, E. Powley, aud Messrs. Spry and W. Nairn. The two latter were especially good. Two glees, namely, "Soldiers' Love," and "The Two Roses," were rendered with fair success by the Glee Club, aud a quartette, capitally executed by Messrs. Philip Hannken, T. U. Webb, J. Spry, and \V. Nairn. Recitations wera given effectively by M isses G. and E. Seuffert, a pianoforte duet by the Misses Cavanagh, u vocal duet by the Misses Waddel, aud an amusing reading by the Itev. R. S. llassard. The proceedings were brought to a close with the singing of the national anthem. Mr. T. U. Webb was the conductor. The annual concert in aid of the funds of the Engineer and City Band was held on May 10, and was, both iu respect to number of the audience and musical excellence, a decided success. Herr Schott conducted. The hall, although not crowded, was wellfilled. The programme was attractive, aud comprised the following items : —Part 1 : Selection, " Lucia di Lammermoor " (Donizetti), baud; song, "The Wanderer" (Fesca), Mr. Edmiston ; song, " Lime trees by the river " (Macfarren), Miss Leaf ; solo oboe, "Ah che la morte" (Sohott), Herr Schott; song, "Never more" (Tita Mattei), Mr. Harding ; song, " Far away " (Duruer), lady amateur; trio, " Elisirc d'amore" (piano, violin, aud clarionette), Messrs. Tun-ell, Cope, and Impey. ' I'art 2 : Over, ture, " William Tell" (Uossini), band ; song"ln happy moments" (Wallace), Mr. K, miston ; (lute solo, " Welcome me home ' (Carte), Mr. iunes ; song, " Oh, yc tears" (Abt), Miss Leaf; violin solo, " Keel row " (Farmer), Mr. Cope; duet, "Very suspicious," lady amateur and Mr. Harding. The principal performances were those of 11 err Sehott on the oboe and the overture to the second part. Miss Leaf was deservedly encored, and Mr. Harding received a similar compliment. The two instrumental solos) by Mr. Innes (flute) aud Mr. Cope (violin wore received with almost enthusiastic acknowledgment, aud were repeated. A very agreeable evening's amusement was spent on 30th May in the Chora! Hall, by the members of the Auckland Skating Club. About 100 ladies aud gentlemen were present. The toilettes of the fair ones w.-re handsome aud diversified, and the ease and grace with which they and their male companions threaded the mazes of the rink were indicative of perfect control over nerves, and thorough acquaintance with the idiosyncrasies of the rollers. The "spills " were infrequent, aud therefore much enjoyed by all but the parties who so abruptly aud emphatically "sat" down.