ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11201, 23 October 1899, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

BURNS AND THE,KIRK. Is the Unitarian Church, Pitt-street, .vaster* day, Mr. McCready delivered the third of ti ■' ? course of addresses on "Burns and Scotch \J;| Orthodoxy," the subject being "Tam-o'- - Shanter." This poem, regarded by Burns as his masterpiece, was in a great measure tho >,|J reply of the poet to the attack made by a . ; ■Calvanistic preacher upon tho belief of Dr. McGill and another Unitarian minister of 4jj Scotland, both highly venerated friends of Burns. It was pointed out that in Tam-o'- •■§ Shanter the superstition and debauchery of the Calvanistic party are held up to ridicule -j' by the great Scottish poet, the able exponent and defender of Unitarian principles. ; THKOSOPHT. | A very fair audience assembled in tha Newmarket Public Hall to hear Mrs. Draffin's second lecture on " Theosophy." In her last lecture Mrs. Draflin dealt principally with the problems and purpose of life. Yesterday she proceeded to deal with the materialistic theories of man. She showed that man was * not the body nor the senses nor the mind, but a something behind theso which should control body, senses, and mind. Referring to the experiments of Professor Crooks, the lecturer said this something 'behind was the soul. Following upon an explanation of the different planes of existence, an elaborate explanation of the theory of man's evolution lifo after life was given, showing how, by experience of every kind, man evolved towards perfection. The lecturer concluded with a full explanation of tho states of consciousness after death, and the idea of rebirth. A number of questions were asked at tho close. At the Theosophical Society's Rooms, Mutual Life Buddings, Lower Queen-street, addresses were delivered by Mrs. G. E. Hemus and Mr. F. M. Carr. Mrs. Heinus chose for her subject " Duty." " Conscience," said the speaker, is our guide to action. Action is duty. Act at once on our latest thoughtful determination—later experience may show that action to bo wrong, but it is bolter to act than to remain still and do nothing. Mr. Parr spoke on the "Purpose of Theosophy." He showed how tho purpose of Theosophy was to give to people some definite idea of the purpose of life, and to give us a proper understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. Knowledge is tho key to a successful life, and it is tho work of Thcosophists to spread knowledge. An interesting discussion closed tho meeting. SAILORS' HALL CONCERT. Tho Sailors' Hall concert on Saturday night was again packed, and many could not get inside. Mr. Muldoon provided tho programme, which was as follows:— selection, Newton Brass Band; songs by Messrs. Reid, Mitchell, and McDcrmott, Misses Bodel, Sill, Bryan, and Manson; cornet solo, Mr. Wilson; violin selection, Master Muldoon; auto-harp duet, the Misses Morton; piano, selection, Miss Middoon. AUCKLAND LAW INSTITUTE. The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Law Institute was held on Friday evening in the Supreme Court Library. Mr. J. R. Reed was in tho chair. A paper was read by Mr. J. H. Gregory, on "Bills of Sale: (1) Registration, (2) Apparent Possession." A discussion followed. AUCKLAND SAVAGE CLUB. Tho final meeting of tho twelfth session was held in tho clubroom, Princes-street, on Saturday evening last. About 200 memlies and visitors were presonl, and the general enthusiasm and pleasure displayed speaks well for the popularity of this flourishing institution. Tiie chair was occupied by the president, Brother Dr. T. Hope Lewis, who opened tho proceedings with a few well-chosen remarks, welcoming the visitors especially to the closing tangi of the Savage Club. A splendid programme was commenced by the Savage Club orchestra playing a selection, " The Grand Duehoss," after which the Savage Club quartette gave " Allan Water," • and had to respond to a recall. A imitation, "Nothing to Wear," by Mr. Steele, was well received; after which Brother A. L. Edwards delighted the assembly by his rendering of "Bianca" and "Mary," in response to an encore. Mr. H. Hodges, the popular baritone, w,>s in fine form, .and his solo from " Faust," was given with great effect, and as encore, " Beloved, It Is Dawn." He also took part with Brother Edwards in tho duct " Excelsior." Mr. D. 11. Caston supplied the comic element, and so successful was ho Hint he had to appear three times before his hearers were satisfied. A feature of the -pro-. gramme was a magnificent rendering of the instrumental duet, clarinet and cornet, by Brothers S. Jackson and'F. 'Oribbin. The banquet was a sumptuous affair, and reflected great credit on the Supper Committee. Tho club-room was decorated in good style. During the evening, the president, on behalf of the club, presented the secretary, Brother F, .T. Whittaker, with a token of tho esteem 'J he was hold in by the club, to the hearty strains of "For He's a Jolly Good Follow." The orchestra wound up the programme at half-past cloven p.m., by a spelndid rendering of the waltz " My Darling Mona," concluding with the " Savage Chorus," in which everyone present joined, leaving the club, well satisfied with the closing ceremony and with the best wishes for its success in the future. NEWMARKET MUSICAL SOCIETY. A concert, given by the members and friends of the above society, in aid of the Newmarket school piano fund, was hold in the Newmarket Hall on Friday, the building being well filled. The following programme was gone through:—Pianoforte solo, Mr. Bernard Armiger; song, "Nobody Else," Miss Nellie Biggs; dance, "Washerwoman's * Jig," Miss Gibbon's pupils; song, "Anchored," Mr. H. (1. Clievis; song, "Bid Ma to Love," Miss Wilson (with violin obligato, by Mr. Fred. Nicholson); recitation, "The Last Shot," Miss Harding; song, "Soldiers of the Queen," Mr. John Hooker; dance, "Skirt Dance," Miss Gibbons; quartette, " Four Little Curly Coons," Messrs. Tait, Mnthieson, Kassell, and Smith; pianoforto duet, Misses Reach and Mathieson; song, Miss Wilson; soig, "The Deathless Army," Mr. A. Tiviname; song, "Flight of Ages," Miss Grace Butcher; song, " Just Tell Them That You Saw Me," Mr. Hooker; vocal duet, " Life's Dream is O'er," Miss Wilson and Mrs. Harris; song, "The Carnival," Mr. Clievis; comic song, " How-dee-do-Dee," Mr. T. Rainger. Mr. Bernard Armiger accompanied tho singers in an accomplished manner. The performance was brought to a close by an amusing farce, entitled "Fun in a Registry Office," tho characters being taken by Misse? Mattocks (3), Messrs. Hooker, Wright, Smith, Tait, and Clievis. The audience was most enthusiastic, nearly every item being encored, and bouquets being very numerous. As a result of the concert the piano fund should benefit considerably. BACHELORS' BALL AT PAEROA. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Saturday. For some considerable time past the bachelors of Paeroa have been preparing for a grand ball, and last night tho affair eventuated in the Criterion Theatre. Tho gathering was quite a representative one, and many visitors wero present from the Thames, To Arolia, Waihi, Karangalmko, and surrounding districts. The interior of tho building wa3 most beautifully decorated, and the ball was altogther a distinct success. The committee, who came in for a well-deserved measure of congratulation, was comprised of the following;— Messrs. Mueller, P. Hague, Smith, Jackson, D. Anderson, D. McArthur, and J. Bush. The supper was served in the Criterion Hotel, and the music was supplied by Williams and Booth's band from the Thames.