ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12044, 14 August 1902, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY.

A J.abgk and enthusiastic audience was present last night; at the City Hall, when " the present strong list of entertainers were each received y with > emphatic ; approval. ' Mr. Charles Howard made his reappearance in the chair as ■" interlocutor and stage • manager," but, unfortunately, was too indisposed to sing. Miss Lizzie Kirk again met with a | most flattering reception, being recalled again and: again. Mr. Frank Leon was heartily applauded for his clever dancing. The everpopular Pope and S'ayles were as usual a host in themselves, and aroused much-hearty applause. Mr. Yal' Vousden, the "clever mimic, in his great character study, Mrs. Ovßourke, . caused roars of laughter. This genuine character impersonation was followed by* some clever ventriloquism, which' was thoroughly appreciated. Miss Maud Fanning's contributions are always roost welcome. The clever artist was enthusiastically applauded. The programme closed with a dashing military sketch by Mr. Irving Sayles. assisted ;by a number of specially trained young ladies. WIRTH'S CIRCUS. ' ' *' The Messrs. Wirth Bros.' Circus Company gave two performances yesterday, and. both were well attended, the children being delighted with the programme provided at the afternoon matinee, while the adults were equally pleased with the evening's entertainment. The attractions advertised for the. remainder of the week are well up to the high standard of merit maintained throughout the long season here, and on Saturday afternoon another matinee performance will be given. .'■; ,_.-:.•...;...• '■:..■:,;

oSeIIUNGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

_ A ■ very successful ; . reunion was held, last night at the Onehunga Presbyterian Church, and was attended by over 200 members and adherents. The Rev. A. C Wedderspoon, MA., presided.. During the evening a choice selection of vocal and instrumental music was rendered by the choir and friends, under the conductorship of Mr. Harry Prime. > The Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A., also delivered an address. The annual report read by Mr. Byles showed the church to be in a. flourishing condition under the pastorate of tin* Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon.

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. • The ordinary meeting of the Trades and Labour Council was held in St. Matthew's schoolroom last evening, Mr. H. I/. Horning presiding. The secretary of the Wairoa Farmers' Club wrote asking the Council's cooperation .in urging the Government to erect a sterilising plant in Auckland, and to take every precaution against the ; spread of anthrax. The secretary was instructed to give effect to the request of the farmers' club by writing to the Acting-Premier and members for city. It was resolved to insert an advertisement in the Auckland Weekly News, warning shearers from • going to Australia until tile dispute is settled between the Shearers' Union and'pastoralists. It was resolved to urge the Government to manufacture all rolling stock, including locomotives, in the colony, and to establish an iron foundry at Newmarket. It was decided :to draw the attention of the Minister for Justice to several drastic sentences inflicted in the Supremo Courts, and to ask him to bring in a Bill fixing an age limit, not exceeding 65 years, for retiring judges. The secretary was instructed to write to the Wellington Council, asking that a deputation should wait on the Minister for Labour, protesting against any attempt being made to increase the hours of labour for youths "employed under the Factories Act. The Executive of the Council were empowered to arrange a series of meetings for Mr. Tom Mann.

ST, DAVID'S CHURCH MEETING. The annual meeting.of the parishioners of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass Road, was held last evening in St. David's Church Hall. There was a good attendance ; the Rev. W. Gray Dixon, M.A., presided. The manager's report, which was read by Mr. Thos. Knight, stated that owing to the federation of the Presbyterian Churches of Otago ami Southland with the Northern Church, the -financial .half-year now ends on dune 30. The sum raised for tho halfyear from, the Ordinary sources of revenue amounted in the aggregate to £319 19s ■. 6d, which, "was an increase" of £18 6s 5d over the previous! six > months. The church accounts proper for the six months showed a credit balance of £10 5s 3d. The collections for the half-year showed'an increase of £14 0s -9d on the previous half-year. This increase was attributed by the managers to the singularly able and devoted labours of the minister among the parishioners. The amount raised from pow rents amounted to £63 0s 6d, which showed Xn increase of £3 9s lOd on the previous half-year. Apart from £8 voted by the managers to the Presbytery's home mis;siori,,the amount raised for the,works of the church and tho city mission was £37 6s lOd, which showed a slight increase. This gratifying state of affairs was no doubt '-brought about greatly by the active operations of tho Women's and Young Ladies' Guilds, who i had charge of this, branch of the work. Reference was made to the debenture and sinking fund, which continues to. work as well as the most sanguine of its promoters could have hoped for. This important fund had not prejudiced in the least degree the interests of the other funds of the church. Relative to the removal and re-erection of the church, the managers wished to place on record their appreciation of the services of the contractor, Mr. Penman,, who carried out his work both skilfully . aud speedily. Also the architect, Mr. Watt, who made important concessions for the benefit of the church. Thanks were due to Mrs. Robertson, sen. (who laid the memorial stone), for her gifts to the church. The organ fund now had a credit balance of £35 18s 9d. Thanks were due to the choir and to their conductor, Mr. Harold Hardy, for their services. Touching reference was .made to the death of the late Mr. Chas. La Roche, who took so prominent a part in the management of the church affairs, .and it was the earnest prayer of the congregation that his family might be sustained in their sad bereavement. The report was adopted, also the treasurers' report, presented by -Messrs., W. Bruce Fordyce and W. Miller, which showed the finances of the church to be in a satisfactory state.'-.Mr. W. M. Anderson read the sessional report, which was adopted, and gave an encouraging account of the progress made by the various branches of the church. The following managers were (elected for the ensuing year, viz.:—Messrs. John Robertson, tV. Lambert, W. G. Urquhart, D. Ferguson, (l. Peace,, W. ,T. Munro, F,. Curry, Jehu Chisholm, C. Fleming, W. B. Fordyce, •Ino.-McKinney, ,T. McDonald, and .T. McGregor. Messrs. W. B. Fordyce, G. Elliott, and G. Peace were elected auditors. During the evening refreshments were handed round, and a musical programme presented, in which vocal contributions were given by 'Mrs. Baildon and Misses Gordon-'and Lam bourne. The choir sang the anthem''.' Radiant Morn."

EDENDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. :; ' '

A soiree in connection with the fourteenth anniversary of the above church was held on Tuesday evening, and brought together a good audience. The Rev! W. Gray Dixon and supporting him were Mr. F. Rule (missionary), Mr. Murdoch (secretary), and, Mr. Wilson (treasurer). These gentlemen all gave appropriate addresses, the latter moving the usual votes of thanks. The ladies presiding at the tables were Mesdaines Rule., Dalton, Dick. Mo Adam, Hutchinson, Murdoch, Warren, Carrie, and others. The following programme was gone through: — Instrumental duot, Messrs. Hooton; song, "The Better Land," Mrs. Baildon; song, "The Hofy- Shrine," -Mr. Higgott; song, "Sunshine and Rain," Miss Lambourne; song, "Tho Bonnie Banks o' Loch Loniand," Miss Lang; song. "' Mnna," Mr. R. Hooton; piano solo, Mr. Hooton; song, " Two Cities," Miss Gordon; song, The Yeoman's Wedding," Mr. Higgott. SOCIAL. A social to the employees of the various branches of the Hygienic Bakery was given , by the proprietor, Mr. J. C. Legge, at tho Epiphany schoolroom, ECarangahape Road, last-evening. The members of the staffs present numbered about 35; aud each employee was privileged to invite a friend. Several other invited guests were present, and the, total company was about 100. A capital ■ cold collation was partaken of, and a number of toasts were honoured. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing, interspersed with several songs, recitations ' and instrumental selections. Mr. R. Pierce contributed a number of popular comic items. During the evening a presentation of a silvermounted biscuit barrel and jam dish, suitably inscribed, was made,; on;behalf of the employees, to Mrs. Legge. op the occasion of her birthday. EPSOM ROAD BOARD. .'The ordinary monthly meeting of the Epsom 'Road Board was held on Tuesday night, there 'being present:. Messrs. S. Hesketh (chairman), J. Edgurley, A. Worrall, J. Wheeler, and W. R. Bloomfiold. The town clerk of Newmarket wrote, drawing the attention of the Board to tho bad state of the footpath on Khyber Pa?s Road, between J

Boston Road and the bridge. The foreman reported having attended to this work.* Mr. •T. B. Macfarlarie: wrote; with regard to * the bad state of Domain Road between Silver and Fairfax Roads,Raskinhe Board to have something done*; in the way of forming and metalling the" road. Referred to ' the foreman to report. Mr. W. J. Speight wrote, drawing-"the.Board's attention to the state of Silver Road.' ' Referred to the foreman to attend to.';'.* It was decided to have the main road, from the Junction Hotel to the Newmarket school, scraped and the road repaired -where necessary. Messrs. Bloomfield \\orrall. and tlio engineer (Mr. Metcalfe) were appointed a sub-committee to inspect the land lately owned by"itrs. Pa ton on Church Read, through which new roads were proposed to be made. Mr. Worrall was appointed i to inspect Disraeli-street and see whatsis required in the < wav of putting scoria on the same, i; Mr. J. Boylan, 0.E., submitted plans and specifications of road proposed to ibe laid. out on another portion of the property sold by Mrs. Paton. Referred to .the Board's engineer. .U All expenses incurred by the Board in taking over the road to be p;ud by the;landowner. Mr. S. He*keth. who has been chairman of the Board tor a number of years, tendered Ids resignation in that -capacity, owing to stress of private, business. - After the orv»narv business was'; transacted another meeting was held,, at which Mr. W. R. Bloomfield was unanimously elected as chairman in place of Mr.jHesketh. hearty vote of tlianks was ' services to, the district as- chairman of the i Board lor so many years. |

•>BTRKENHRAD SUNDAY-SCHOOT, ■ ENTERTAINMENT. On Tuesday, evening the Birkenhead Sun-day-school children rendered the cantata entitled "The ; Coming of the Flowers," under the, direction-of Mr. W. Messenger; whose efficient orchestra, with Miss Winnie lute at the piano, supplied the necessary M-i''ii T,ie - cantata was commenced by Miss Eilleen White, representing spring, singing the opening solo, "lam here, the juvous springtime," the choruses by the different groups of children. as wildflowers, hyacinths, garden flowers, etc., being well taken up and prettily rendered. A. duet bv Misses Eawlinson and rUiiswortli as lilies,' and a trio by' Misses Rawlinson, Retta White and Clow, as hyacinths, geraniums and lilies, were extremely good, .the voices blending nicely. Perhaps one of the prettiest parts of ; the cantata was the rendering of " Violets'' by the' tiny mites of the school, its performance reflecting the greatest credit upon their:teachers. With the solo, "Wav. biffin the Morning Sunlight," by Miss Eilleen White, the cantata came to a close, and the enthusiasm of the. audience showed how much ■it ' had : been ; appreciated. To Miss Eilleen White and Mr. W. Messenger belong the greatest praise for the careful training of the children and a hearty vote of thanks to them; and all who had assisted was carried by acclamation during the evening. The second part Of the programme opened with a musical pole-drill by six young-ladies. A song, " Queen of the Earth," by Mr. Hayman, was followed, by an, action song, " Ten Little Dicky Birds," by the little ones, and Was enthusiastically encored. Then came a recitation, " flow -Jane Conquest Rang the Bell," capitally given by Mr. Wilson, and a musical club, drill by four ' ladies, which had to be repeated. The musical drills, it may be stated, were taught by Miss Eilleen White, while Miss Retta. White acted as an efficient accompanist. J With, the ? singing of a verse of the National Anthem a most enjoyable evening's entertainment came to a Close.-. .-!•■'■: ' ' . .';-V. ' —.. - :' : ; .

The Ponsonby Baptist Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society met in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening-. ; The acting-president (Mr. F. Dearsly) occupied the chair. There was a large attendance of members and friends. The subject for the evening was a lecture ', on "Julius V. Caesar" by- Mr. Abb's, '] which was very interesting- •. .