ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 9

ST. PETER’S FESTIVAL.

The annual dedication festival in conneo. tion with St. Peter's Parish passed off this year in every way most successfully. The religions part of the festival took place on Sunday last—St. Peter’s Day. A celebra. tiou of the Holy Commanioa at 8 inaugurated the festal services, and thiß was followed at 11 a. m. by full choral matins, at which the Volunteers attended. The only drawbacks to the success of this service were the indifferent attendance of the Volunteers and an enfortnnate mistake by which a tune unknown to the usual congregation was substituted for the well-known one by Sir Arthur Sullivan for the processional hymn, “ Onward Christian Soldiers.” In the afternoon a special children’s service was held, which was very well attended ; and in the even- [ ing, despite the wretohrd weather, there was a very large congregation. The service was again fully choral with processional and recessional hymns and an appropriate anthem, and all who were present seemed to appreciate the servioe very much and joined very heartily in it. The east end of the churchjvas vtry beautifully decorated. The ±lev w. C. Waters preached at each service, in the morning mainly addressing his remarks to the Volunteers, in the afternoon to the children on the collect for St. Peter’s Day, and in the evening upon some aspects of a dedication festival. The secular part of the festival was observed on Tuesday evening by a monster social gathering held in St, Peters’ schoolroom. There was a very crowded attendance, and one very hopeful sign for future St. Peter’s festivals was the unusually large number of heads of families present. Mr Waters said a few words at the commencement, giving a short history of the rise and progress of such commemorations, and adding a few remarks upon their great usefulness when used aright. Mr Trimnell, the popular organist at St Peter’s, then played a piece on the piano with hi 3 accustomed skill. This was followed by a recitation by Mr Noel Barraud, a glee by the choir, and a recitation by Mr F. W. Haybittle, whioh was greatly applauded. The bran tubs then made their appearance, and were soon surrounded by a thick crowd, all anxious to try their luck. Messrs Powell and F. Barraud at the same time were occupied in very kindly showing geveral microscopes to many. Then followed tea, coffoe, and other refreshments, kindly provided by many parishioners, and superintended by the ladies of the vestry. It would be no exaggeration to state that the gathering could hardly have been more successful than it was, whether regarded from a social or monetary point of view, and it reflected great credit upon ail those concerned in its arrangement. The evening was brought to a close with a glee from the choir, a comic song by Mr W. D. Lyon, which was enoored, and the National Anthem.