MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11110, 8 July 1899, Page 5

MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

DEYONPORT PRESBYTERIAN; CHURCH.

The third anniversary of the Rev. R. Ferguson, the minister of Devonport Presbyterian Church, has just been celebrated by a series of very interesting meetings. Last Sabbath large congregations gathered at all' the services, and were richly rewarded by the addresses of the Rev. James G. Paterson (late of Napier), and the Rev. J. Idrisyn Jones, M.A., of Wales. On the Wednesday following, the annual social gathering was held, when great numbers crowded the teatables and the after-iaeeting in the church. The tables were dona, cd and presided over by Mesdames Ferguscn, Johnston, Watt, Keals, Murchie, Gardner, Ker, Roberts, Cardno, McKay, Mitchell, Lees, Leek, T. Macky. Adams, Hannan, and Misses Webster, Sibbin, Chapman, and McKay. After tea an adjournment was made to the churen, when the Rev. R. Ferguson presided, and thanked the congregation for their unvarying kindness during the year. Progress was reported on all hands. The Rev. J. G. Patterson delivered a characteristic address on "The Courtship of Miss Merry and Mr. Brisk." Mr. George Fowlds, president of the New Zealand Congregational Union, also spoke well and forcefully on church life from the standpoint of tile pew. A capital musical programme, under the direction of Mr. Lees, choirmaster, was much enjoyed, including selections by the choir, Mrs. Ferguson, Misses Edson, Stevenson, Best, and Messrs. Cardno, Armstrong, Palariet, Aspinall, and Dacre. The anniversary celebrations realised the handsome sum of £30. The annual children's tea meeting was held on Thursday evening, the 6th inst. Again large crowds (this time of young people) assembled. Ample justice was done at the tea-tables. The Rev, R. Ferguson presided at the after-meeting. Mr. Brakenrig, secretary of the Y.M.C.A., occupied the first part of the programme with a limelight lantern lecture on " General Gordon. The second part consisted of songs, recitations, etc., by Misses M. Grey, D. Murdoch, M. Harp, W. Niccol, E. Cunningham, D. Townsend, V. Murdoch, N. Grey, Davis, Mona Mackay, E. Adams, J, and A. Waldron, and Masters W. Adams and W. Hynes. The gymnasium members also gave two athletic displays, the girls using the dumb-bells and the boys swinging their Lidian clubs. A thoroughly enjoyable meeting closed by the singing of" Jesus Loves Me."

CADZOW MYRIORAMIC COMPANY. There was a crowded attendance at tho Dovonport Public Hall last evening, when an entertainment consisting of musical and elocutionary items was given by Mr. W. B. Cadzow's Myrioramic Company. The entertainment, which was given under the patronage of Mr. J. O. Macky (Mayor uf Devouport), Captain Coyle and officers of the Permanent Force, consisted chiefly of tn exhibition of views depicting stirring incidents in England's naval and military warfare, the views being explained by Mr. Cadzow. Miss Dudcling contributed several songs in a finished manner, and was loudly applauded. Mr. Cadzow sang several patriotic songs in such a manner as to earn enthusiastic encores at the hands of an appreciative audience. A number of slides illustrative of sacred subjects concluded a capital entertainment. Madame Cadzow presided at the piano, and played the incidental music and the accompaniments to the soloists. OPERA HOUSE.

The audience that gathered at the Opera House last night witnessed tho third performance of "For the Term of His Natural Life" by the Lyceum Dramatic Company, which was quite equal to its predecessorp in point of merit. Mr. Walter Dalgleish and Miss Annie Brandt, the principals, were the recipients of a good deal of applause, and they were well supported by the other members of the company, " For the Term of His Natural Life" will be repeated to-night. The next piece to be staged is the thrilling fiveact drama, "Life for Life." THE GAIETY COMPANY. Good audiences still attend the Gaiety Company's delightful performances at the City Hall. The programme presented last night was no exception to the rule, and the audience was both large and enthusiastic. To-night there will be an entire change. A new sketch, "The Sharpshooter," and a new farce, "He's Dead! Who!" will bo presented, and all the members of the company will contribute fresh items. The favourites, Faning and Devoe, will give, b) request, .their clever sketch, "Romeo and Juliet." On i Monday a farewell benefit will be accorded | to Messrs. Faning and Rivers, when a giganiio programme will be presented. On Tuesday night the No. 4 Gaiety Company make their first appearance in Auckland;

AVONDALE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY. A meeting of the above was held on Wednesday evening, sfch inst., and resulted in one of the most enjoyable evenings of the session, the subject being short essays, by the following members:—"Music," by Mr. H. Burrow; "Our Girls," Miss L. Reid; "Wireless Telegraphy," Mr. R. J. Burrow; and "Jack and Jill," by Mr. W. N. Ingram. The various essayists in nearly every case handled iheir subjects in a very interesting manner, and were complimented by those who criticised them. Mr. A. Haslam was elected to the vacancy on the committee caused by the removal of Mr. J. Reid from the district. ■ LECTURE ON FIRST AID. Yesterday' afternoon Dr. Do Olive-Lowe gave the first lecture on "First- Aid to the Injured,'' at the Municipal Buildings. About 30 ladies wore present, and seemed to thoroughly appreciate the ,clear and interesting i way in which the doctor explained this subject.'- One ,' noteworthy f feature of the'. 'class was the number of ladies who attended from Takapuna and Northcote. No doctor Being, resident : ■ in; either. of, those district, it is" the : more necessary that the .residents should, know what to, do in case of accidents or sudden illness. ~ .. ~ ". '. CONCERT AT PANMURE.. '■% The concert, tendered to Monsignor Walter McDonald at Panmure last ;evening.; proved a great success. Owing to the. inclemency.

of the weather, there was not a large audience. A first-class programme of musical items was provided, and was thoroughly appreciated by (those present. Items were rendered by the following ladies and gentlemen —Two piano solos were tastefully played by Miss Akersteu, who also shared honours with Miss Mcllhone during the evening as accompanist. Miss Thomas sang "Dublin Bay" and "The Carnival;" Mr. Arthur G. Murphy gave a masterly rendering of " I Trust You Still," and in the latter portion of the programme "The King's Own," for which he was vigorously encored, and in compliance with a demand by the audience sang " Only Once More" as the encore item. Mr. A. Wynyard-Joss' masterly rendering of his pretty mandoline composition, "Templemore March," was a feature of the evening, and richly deserved the applause meted out to that gentleman. As an encore he played "Nea," Miss Marie Quinn possesses a pleasing voice, which was heard to advantage in her item, " The Holy City." This lady also took part with Mies Kate Lonergan in tho duet, " In the Dusk of the Twilight." The Panmure audience vas fortunate in having the pleasure of hearing Mr. Walter lurby, the popular tenor, and the rounds of applauso he received for his rendering of "Asthore" and "Ben Bolt" must be very gratifying to this talented singer. The Rev. Dr. Egan greatly amused the audience by his rendering of " Father 0 Flynn," and in answer to a strong demand gave " The Cats' Serenade." Miss Pastileoa, a very pleasing soprano from Sydney, sang with great taste 41 One Heart Divine," tor which she received a well-deserved encore. Mr. Percy Blackmail, the well-known Auckland comedian, fairly convulsed the audience, and was repeatedly encored. A word of praise is due to Mr. A. G. Murphy for the capable manner in which he carried through the programme. A dance followed tho concert, being kept up till an early hour this morning;

BENEFIT CONCERT. There was a crowded attendance at St. Benedicts Hall, Newton, last ovening, tile occasion being that of a concert and dance •in aid of the widow and family of the lato Robert Muir, tho Rev. Father O'Gallaghor in tho chair. A capital programme was presented, including vocal and instrumental items by the Missos Lorrigan, Cummillgs, Barkor, and Messrs. W. Skerrett, MeCowan, A. Hughes, while Professor A. J Wewton gave an exhibition of muscular posing and heavy-weight lifting. Between these enjoyablo items a capital dance programme was gone through, Messrs. A. Hughes and 1. Drum proving most efficient M.C.'s. A special word of praise is dueUo the lion. sec. and treasurer (Mr. P. Quinlan), who was indefatigable in his efforts in promoting vho entertainment, valuable assistance also beilli lent by the strong oommittoe appointed to push forward the preliminaries. Thanks must also bo tendered to the sevoral ladies and gentlemen who gratuitously contributed items, and to the Fire Brigade Band, who played a series of capital selections.

MOUNTAINEERING IN THE SOUTHERN ALPS. At the Y.M.C.A. last evening, an interesting locture was delivered by Mr P. Marshall, A., 8.50., on "Mountaineering in the Southern Alps." The lecturer dealt with his subject in an able manner, and gave an interesting account of the results of the pioneer expeditions among the giants of Westland. A beautiful series of views illustrated the loeture.

ONEHUNGA SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Onehunga School Committee was hold on Thursday night, when tlipro were present: Canon Haselden (chairman), Messrs. E. Hall, J. E. Kelsall, G. Vause, G. H. James, C. McLeod, and D. Brown. Tho headmaster's report showed tho number on the roll to be 531, with a somewhat smaller average attendance, owing to sickness and wet weather. The secretary of the Board of Education wrote stating that July 24- had been fixed as tho last day on which nominations could be received to fill the vacancy on tho Board. He also informed the committee of the appointment of Miss Muriel Cooper as i»u assistant-teacher in the Onohunga school. He suggested the appointment' of a sub-com-mittco to ascertain what children woro wilfully absenting themselves from school. It was agreed that Canon Haselden and Mr. Mcintosh confer together, to soo what can bo done to secure a better attendance at tho school. On the motion of the chairman, it was resolved to forward a resolution to tho Minister for Education to the effect, "That this committee respectfully urges tho Minister for Education to considor tho desirability of reducing the primary school syllabus." Mr. Shalo having resigned his position as school-cleaner, Mr. Vance was appointed, at at salary of £40 per annum.