MEETINGS AND ENTERT AINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10902, 5 November 1898, Page 3

MEETINGS AND ENTERT AINMENTS.

- —«* The annual public meeting on behalf of the homo mission fund was held in the' Mount Albert Wesleyan Church on November 3. An abstract of the report was read by the Rev. J. G. Chapman, and interesting addresses were given by the Revs. Dr. Hosking and F, B. Oldham. In the course of his remarks Dr. Hosking gave ah account of his visits to the settlers in some parts of tho Waikato, where religious services are seldom held, and a realistic description of a journey from Hamilton to Taupo. During the evening the ohoir rendered, with pleasing effect, two anthems. Tho collections on Sunday, and at the public meeting, were 15 per cent, in advance of last year. The closing social of the (Kara Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Otara Hall on October 25, The president, the Rev. D. J. Steele, M.A., occupied the chair. The following programmo was submitted:—Pianoforte duet, Mesdames Cargo and Clow; recitation, Mr. J. O'Hara; reading, Mr. H. Farnsworth; vocal duet, Mr. A. and Miss K. Kimpton; pianoforte solo, Mrs. Cargo; recitation, Mr. S. Ferguson; reading, Mr. S. Hodge; song, Miss K. Kimpton; recitation, Mr. W. J. O'Hara; recitation, Mr, W. Whyte. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season:—Presidont, Mr. S. Hodge; vice-president, Rev. D. J. Steele, M.A.; secretary, Mr. W. J. O'Hara; treasurer, Mr. W. Whyte; committeo, Misses K. Kimpton, A. Macky, and L. Bell, and Messrs. S. Ferguson, H. Farnsworth, T. R. Clow, and H. Bryant. Fruit refreshments were handed round, and the meeting olosed. One of the most enjoyablo social functions held under the auspices of the Auckland Old Chums and Schoolfellows' Association eventuated at the Freemasons' Hall, Princesstreet, last night ,the gathering being the second smoke concert of the season. About 100 members and guests assembled, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Tho chair was alternately occupied by the president of the association (Mr. Charles Gray) and the Mayor (Mr. P. Dignan)_, and among those present were Messrs. _W. A. Bollard (vicepresident of the association), Pollard (Mayor of Parnell), Dr. King, Mr. Luhning (New Zealand Natives' Association), and representatives of other sociaties. Various toasts were proposed and duly honoured; several short and appropriate speeches were made by the president, the Mayor, Dr. King, Messrs. Bollard, Luhning, and others; and between toasts and speeches vocal and instrumental selections were rendered, and thoroughly enjoyed by _ those present. Those who contributed items were Messrs. Oadzow, Diamond, Will Watkins (this performer was honoured with treble encores foi his humorous selections), Tappet, Robertson, Robinson, and others. The gathering, as stated, was one of the most enjoyable and successful promoled by the association. Mr. Thomas McEwiri was the caterer, and all the tables vvere well supplied with tempting edibles.

Another largo audienco assembled at tha Opera House last night-,» when Mr. A. A. Partridge's Baajo, Mandolin, and Guitar Club gave the second and final concert of the season. As on the opening night, tho dub's items, which consisted of new selections, woro greatly enjoyed, and for the success achieved a special word of praise is duo to Horr R. C. Zimmermana (conductor) and Mr. A. Partridge (leader). The vocalists wore Missos Sybil Lewis, E. B. Mclntyre, Maud Donovan, Mrs. Robin Hay, and Messrs. A. L. Edwards, Wilfred Manning, Percy Blacknian, Bordeaux, and Herr Zimmermann, and the efforts of thosa ptrformors were suitably recognised by the. audience. The liandsonio stage decorations were greatly admired, and the general opinion expressed was that tho concerts were a credit to the members of tho club, their tutor and conductor, and to the others talcing part. The annual concert tendered to the Young Men's Christian Association by Mr. J. H. Philpott, his pupils, and friends, took place at the rooms last evening. Tho prograinnio comprised items by several well-known vocalists and instrumentalists, and met with an appreciative reception. Misses Kent and E. Myers contributed in a finished manner Schubert s "Eosamonde," and the former also played Raff's " Polka do Reine." Miss Hill sang "Bid Me to Love" and "'When Night is Darkest," and took part with Mr Musker m the duet " When the Wind Blows in From the Sea." Miss Laing rendered 'The Flight, of Ages," and she and Mi'. Martm sang the duet, "Awake, Sweet Lovo" (Moir). Mr. ,1. W. Ryan's powerful voico was heard in "Tho Sleeping Camp," and also ™ two Quartettes. Mr. Muster's solos woro ''Tho Deathless Army" and "Tho King's Minstrel. Two very well-played comet solos, "The Cloister" and "The Lest Chord," were contributed by Mr. Clark. The soloists mentioned abovo took part in two quartettes, Iho Fairest Flower" and "Good-night, Beloved. The annual meeting of the Mangere branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the ttesloyan Church, Manger'o, on riiursday evening. Tlic president (the Rev. S. Lawry) occupied the chair. The secretary (Mr. E. Allen) read tne report. The president and the Rev J. McDonald (Presbyterian r,| tho Rev. M. Kirkbrido (Anglican) "avo interesting and instructive address on the iMble and tho work of tho society. For the ensiling year the Rev. M. Kirkbrido was elected president; tho Rev. ,1. McDonald vicepresident; and Mr. Allen was re-olected secretary A collection in aid of the Bible Society s funds was taken up, which amount, ed to £2 is. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the secretary. The spring fair in connection with St. Marys Cathedral, was continued in thu Parish Hall, Manukau Road. Parnoll, yesterday afternoon, the attendance, in spite of the unfavourable weather, being large. Thu works displayed on tho various stalls mot with a free sale, in fact, so satisfactory has been tho result, that the amount realised will pre, sent a record for functions of tho kind in connection with the Church. During the evening a musical programme was 'gone through, several effective tableaux being arranged, tho statue dance, arranged by Miss Bngluun,: "Queen Catherine's Dream," by Mrs. Mitchell; and " Sunshino and Shades." by Mrs. Salmon, being exceptionally good. Miss Large, of the Decoration Committee, and Mrs. Page, one of the entertainers, am to be numbered among the ladies who contributed to the success of the fair. Tho fair will continue open this afternoon and evening, and at half-past eight p.m. the works remaining unsold will bo disposed of by auction. An excellent kineinatographic and limelight entertainment was given last night in St. George's Hall, Newton, under tho auspices of the Orango Institution. The Rev. J. Sharp presided, and in his opening address reminded those present that the evening's amusement mi to celebrate tho deliverance of the United Kingdom of Great Britain ami Ireland from the famous gunpowder plot Mr. Charles Cooper had charge of the kincmatograph and phonograph, and pleated everyone by the careful manner in which ne manipulated tho machines. Vocal solos were well rendered by Messrs. Double, Heath Hodgson, and Baker. Messrs. Hodgson', Double, and Heard contributed a trio, 'Tho' British Choristers;" Mr. H. Jordan, i humorous recitation, "Mrs. Smith- Tea Party;" and Mr. Fox a banjo solo. Mrs. Baker accompanied with taste. There was. a largo and enthusiastic audience. Last night, at tho Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, the Rev. George Walters delivered a highly interesting and entertaining lecture, entitled " Burns and Byron. ' Tho chair was occupied by Mr. Geo. Fowlds. Mr. Walters gavo a careful analysis of the characters and writings of tlio subjects of his lecture. Ho also read in an impressive, manner a number of extracts from the.ii works. On concluding, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. There was a fair attendance.