GENERAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19254, 19 August 1924, Page 9

GENERAL NEWS.

The fortnightly mooting of Court Excelsior, A.0.F., held on Tuesday last, was well attended, mid was presided over by I.P.C.R. Bin. C. O. Jackson. One candidate was initiated and one proposition received. Court Pride of Dunedin paid an official visit. The toast of the visitors was responded to by Bro. W. Himmel and C.R. Bro. Mong, on behalf of Courts Enterprise and Pride of Dunedin respectively. At flic close of the meeting the brothers assembled spent a, pleasant evening in cards and harmony. A very successful euchre party was held in the P.A. Hall, Green Island, on Sdurday night, when the members of the Druids, Foresters, and P.A. Dodge Excelsior were the guests of the local branch of the R.S.A. Mr 11. Taylor, on behalf of the R.S.A., warmly welcomed tho visitors, and hoped that all would enjoy themselves. Such gatherings, he said, helped to foster a feeling of good-fellowship between tho different lodges in the district. The first prize, a tobacco pouch, was won by Mr J. Penson, and the'booby a corn cob pipe, by Mr T. Hill. Eight refreshments wore handed round, and the singing of tho Rational Anthem brought the function to a close. Members of the Burns Club choir, under Mi B. Rawlinson, gave a concert in the Abbotsford P.M. Church on Saturday night i i aid of tho ministers’ removal fund. The church was filled by a large and appreciative audience. The Mayor (Mr Tomkins) occupied the chair. The choir and members gave an excellent programme, the following taking part: —Recitation, Miss M. Newe.y ; songs, Mesdames Carty and Currie, Misses Bartlett and Reid, and Messrs Snell, Sincock, and Rawlinson. Tho choir rendered ‘•Hail to the Chief,” “Skye Boat Song,” ‘‘Ccssnock Banks,” “Pibroch o’ Donuil Dhu,” and “Scotland Yet.” Mrs Newey acted as accompanist. The sixty-fourth anniversary of the West Taieri Presbyterian Church was observed on Sundav, August 10, when special services were conducted by the Rev. David Campbell at West Taieri in the morning, Maungafua, in the afternoon, and a special song service in the Outram Church in the evening. The annual congregational social was held in the Outram Church Hall on the following Friday night, when a large and representative gathering of members, adherents, and friends was present from all parts of the parish to join in the celebrations. The Rev. David Campbell presided, and tendered an apology for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. David Calder, 8.A., of Mosgiol. An excellent programme of vocal, elocutionary, and instrumental items was submitted to a most appreciative gathering, encores being frequent throughout tho evening. Tho choir was under the baton of Mr S J. Harrison, with Mr J. M’Bryde at the organ. At the close the ladies of the congregation .served an abundant supper, which was much enjoyed by all, and thus a happy and inspiring gathering closed with the doxology and the benediction. Tho collections in aid of manse renovation (including donations) amounted to £.155 10s 2ld. The W.C.T.U. gave a very enjoyable concert on Saturday evening to the inmates of the Benevolent Institution. The arrangements were under the charge of Mrs C. A. Hutton. Songs were rendered by Mesdames M’Nivcn and J. Scurr, Miss M’Cullum and M. Duncan, and Messrs Wells, Haig, and Alexandra; recitations were given by Mias Benfell and Phyllis Hutton, and Mr R. Stover delighted the old folks with imitations of various animals. An exhibition of illuminated club-swinging was given by Aims H. King, E. Phillip, and P. Hutton; Air J Green rendered n violin solo, and Air C. A. Hutton a. cornet, solo. A feature of the evening was the playing of the Hawaiian steel guitars by Mr J. H. Hutton’s pupils. Air East gave a ukulele solo, and Mies J. Smith a Highland dance, with bagpipe accompaniment by Piper Smith. Air J. Scurr occupied the chair, and thanked the performers for giving such an enjoyable evening. Tho accompanists were Alias Al’Cullum and Miss M. Duncan. At the close of tho entertainment the performers were the guests of Mr and Airs Porteous at supper.