MOUNT ALBERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6820, 26 September 1883, Page 3

MOUNT ALBERT.

Okb of those pleasant social gatherings whicli tend to promote hr.rmoay and kindly feeling between neighbours and frieuds took place at the residence of Mr. J. Tonson. Garlick, Fcrndale, on Friday evening last. .. • Mr. Garlick haß been the superintendent of the Mount Albeit Wesleyan Sunday-school .from its cbihmehdement, and . to celebrate some birthday arini versaries in his . family hc„invited the ■ scholars, attending: the Sundayschool, their parents and teachers, with many ibf his neigtiboars and friends, to. a: social gathering. ..In the. general design of . his house, Mr. Garlick had a large. assemblyroom built, and as this room. .is . connectedwith la spacious (lining-room by, ; double folding.,. doors ; there is .!. ample accommodation for a large party. The invitations were accepted by about 100 guests, for whose pleasure and enjoyment jt varied programme had been prepared. ■ The first, part of the evening was occupied with, instrumental and, vocal music, readings',and recitations, when an interval of- half-an-liour . was .devoted to. refreshments, which were, provided and. dispensed on a very liberal scale. The second part' of the programme began with musical selections, vocal and instrumental, which werc-vcry vvellrendered, and evidently appreciated by . tne, audience. The lattir'portioh.of the evening was occupied in Bome well and carefully prepared, illustrations of London sights and seenes, which Sir. Garlick had arranged specially for.'ithe. entertainment and l instruction of the youthful portion of his. guests, the of whom;-were New Zealanders..: A -short descriptive reading, by Mr. Uarlick,- of London street life, was followed by :the entry of. three appropriately dressed little flower.girls; who, after singing a flower soug, distributed from thtir little baskets bunches of ..flowers 1 among, the assembled cuestsi. Another descriptive reading was followed by the introduction of two.iiboyß as' typical crossing; followed by another reading and: a representative .of ■ the Shoeblack ...Brigade;' After . .depicting,: the .misery of little boys,' who formerly went'through'years of as chimney-sweepers, a scene: from the.Mayday festival was introduced - by. av veritable Jack-in-the-green, accompanied by his youth-, ful friends decorated with garlands of flowers and whits ribbons,, giving. a' vividrepresentation of those who appear on a bright Maj mormbg full of fun and mirtli,: as it all their lives were passed in, sunshine.. The next Bcen'e. -frpm . London life was an. entertain-., nrent by Ethiopian -serenaders,:. the .parts being ably filled by. five amateurs, who'kept, the audience in a 1 merry .mood' by:.tht-ir songs, and witticisms. The singing of. the National Anthem brought tbe very pleasant, evening ■to' aclose, but before .separating.,tbe 'children gave three ringiiig cheers to Mr. and Mrs. 'Garlick-; for their kindness - and liberality.-. During . the evening a handsomely bouud volume. Of .the: Wesleyan Hymn iaud/J'unc Book' was presented to Mrs. .Garlick-by the teachers of the Sunday-school; as..a...tolicn..of ' their respect and :esttcm ; - This was one of the most - successful, social;, gatlu-rings ever held in the Mouut Albert district; .The i: host and-hoitess .did; everything that lay in their power to make the evening a pleasant and 'enjoyable - one ; .the ~iuteresc, of ■ the audience was sustained to the end without -any apparent effort, and; was proof, if one,,were needed, thst a pleasant can be. sptnt in a so.ial and rational manner without'the almost inevitable dance.