SMOKE CONCERT AND PRESENTATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11323, 17 January 1899, Page 6

SMOKE CONCERT AND PRESENTATION.

A smoke concert was held in the Dunedia Bowling Club's pavfSßn1 last-night, and was numerously .attended, Mr D. M'Pherson (vicepresident of the club) occupying the chair. One of the objects of the concert, apart from a desire to promote sociability a-mong members, was to present Mr -frames Hislop, the past president, with some token of recognition of the services he -had rendered the club during his Jong connection with it. The evening was a most enjoyable one,' and the greatest 'harmony prevailed. A . capital musical programme had been prepared, the singers for the most part being members of the club. They were, however, assisted in no small degree by outside talent. The vocalists were Messrs J. Wallace, J. Jago, J. H. Hopcraft, P. Miller, J. Carter, and J. Southwick; and recitations were given by the chairman (Mr M'Pherson) and Mr Daniels. In addition to the a couple of quartets were, capitally- sung by Messrs Carter, Hopcraft, Jago, and Ibbotson; and a duet was given by Messrs Miller and Ibbqtson. The Chairman, in a, very happy speech, made the presentation, and in doing so said he- regretted tho 'absence of the club's president (Mr W. B. Taylor), partly because that gentleman's presence would have relieved him of the responsibility of his- position, and also on account of Mr Taylor's illness. He would'also like to mention the absence of Mr M'Diarmicl. one of the promoters of the presentation, and also Mr W. Thomson, who were unable to be present. He would come to the main object of their meeting, which was to present Mr James Hislop with some small tokens of regard from the members of the Dunedin Bowling1 Club.—(Applause.) In referring to Mr Hialop, he would endeavour,to avoid flattery: Mr Hislop had been connected with the club for-IB years, and had been three times president. During that time he had initiated some very' necessary reforms, and' ha-d carried them.' out with very great tact and firmness, and the evidence'of these reforms were still to be found. During the last^year of his presidency he was also president of the New Zealand Bowling Association — (applause), — and during the tournament ■ which took place that year- the manner in which he carried out his duties was not only creditable to himself, but also reflected credit upon the Dunedin Bowling Club to a very'high degree.—(Hear, hear.) In referring to Mrs Hislop, the speaker said that lady had backed Mr Hislop up like a man.—(Laughter.) He also referred to the Misses Hislop, and he was sure he was echoing the thoughts of the members of the club and of bowlers generally; when he said they were delighted with the hospitality and generosity Mr Hislop had dis-. played at the tournament. The Chairman also referred to the fact that Mr Hislop had been presented with a son during his last year of presidency, and he was sure that if anything happened to Mr Hislop in. the dim future the. whole of the bowlers of the Duucdin Club would be a father to that young Hislop.—(Laughter.) Aiter referring to the generous manner m which Mr Hislop had given his services in connection with the erection o£ the new pavilion, the Chairman made tho presentation, winch consisted of a handsome tea and coffee service, bearing tho inscription: " James Hislop, from tho members of the Diuiedm Bowling Club, 1537-8," and also si pipe and matchbox, bearing the recipient's initials. ' Messrs P. Miller, A. Mowat, and C. Hayne3 also spoke in high terms of the manner in which Mr Hislop had carried out his duties as president, and of the many services which he had in others ways rendered to the club. Mr Hislop, in acknowledging the gifts, oxpressed his high appreciation of the handsome presents, though hje did not quite know what he htwil done to deserve them. What he had dono had always been a work of love; but he felt that it was evident from the presentation that ho possessed the respect of members of tho club. His feelings were such that they must not expect him to say more than merely, thank them for himself and on behalf of his family.—(Applause.) Mr J. Watson presided at tho piano, and, besides playing the accompaniments, gave a solo at opening. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings. f