MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5395, 3 March 1879, Page 2

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

The second anniversary of the Newmarket Primitive Methodist Sunday-school-was held on Feb. 18, at the Newmarket Hall. There was a large attendance, and, everything having been well-managed by the committee in charge, the affair proved a successful one. The hall .was handsomely decorated, and presented a very attractive appearance. The tea having been partaken of, the hall was arranged for the meeting, of which Mr. John Elliot acted as chairman. Mr. John Hayter, the secretary, read the annual report, which shewed the school to be in a flourishing condition, the attendance having greatly increased dnring the past year. A library of nearly 100 volumes had been provided for

its use, and there was a cash balance to the credit of the committee after all liabilities had been paid. February 13 was a red-letter, day among the Maoris at Nuhaka, on the Oruawharo River, two miles below Port Albert. About three hundred natives and some one hundred pakeha friends were present to take part in the festivities connected with the opening of a new Wesleyan chapel. The building, which is very pleasantly situated, overlooking the river, is a semi-Gothic erection, 30 feet by 16 feet, with porch, belfry, bell, seats, and reading-desk complete, varnished inside and painted outside. It was finished towards the end of la3t year, and cost about £130, the whole of which has been paid. The weather was all that could be desired, and our Maori neighbours, who, iu purveying for the " inner man," cannot be accused of doing the thing by halve?, proved quite equal to the occasion. The tai provided was large in quantity and good in quality, aHd as a number of our settlers' wives had a hand in its preparation, the most fastidious must have been satisfied. The evening meeting shewed plainly what the Maoris had long known, that the building was far too small for such occasions. But this part of the affair, with such an able and affable chairman as the Wesleyan minister, Mr. William Gittos, is known to be, passed off well. The chairman, Mr. J. Shepherd, J. P., and several influential Maoris addressed the meeting,—the latter expressing the great pleasure they felt in meeting on such friendly terms, and in their own church, so many white brothers and sisters. Some of them had travelled a great distance to be present. The speeches were interspersed with several of Moody and Sankey's songs, which were heartily sung by all present, accompanied by Mrs. Cutforth on the harmonium. The meeting closed about eight o'clock, when most dispersed to their several homes, quite enjoying the trip on the water, the night being beautiful and calm. ' The annual examination and distribution of prizes at the Infant's School, St. Joseph's School, and the School of St. Francis de Sales, in Wyndbamstreet, all conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, waa held on Feb. 13. The Very Rev. Father Fynes, V.G., and the Rev. Father Walter McDonald, Father O'Dwyer, Father O'Reilly (Thames), and Father iuordan (Panmure) were present. A very large number of the parents and friends of the pupils were also in attendance, watching the proceedings with a great deal of interest. The Sisters provided entertainments in the various departments, with a view to exhibit the proficiency in the various branches, taught during the last session of the schools. Drawings executed by the scholars were shewn, and reflected great credit upon the pupils and their teachers. The recitations proved that the proper training of the memory and the elocution of the students had not been neglected, while thepianoforte recitals shewed skilful teaching.