THE CHINESE MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 9

THE CHINESE MISSION.

The opening of the recently- erected Chinese Mission Church in Walker street was celebrated on the 20th by a tea meeting, which was held iv tbe church. There \va3 a large attendance upon the occasion, over 190 Chinese and about 40 Europeans partaking of the tea, which was provided by a number of Dunedin ladies, who were assisted in their undertaking by donations from several tradesmen. " The building, which is a brick structure, capable of seating 180 persons, presented a very cheerful appearance. Th« walls were decorated with a number of Chinese flower scrolls and other ornaments, among these being an . Antithetical couplet in the form of a pair of scrolls handsomely framed with a gilt and b*ad frame. There are two inscriptions on the scrolls, the main one being in black velvet, and the secondary one in gold lettering, while each of the letters have been cut out and slued on to a background of red flowered damask. These scrolls were pi evented J>y three Chinese residents to the Itev. A. Don— it is presumed as a mark of appreciation of the work clone by him amongst the Chinese, but uo European except that gentleman i-t able to gay what is expressed in the couplet. Tha donors of this handiome present, it may be mentioned, are Messrs Wong King Yip, _Woup Shue Chuu, and Ly Key Leet. The following are the names of the ladies who presided at the tables : Mesdame.i Lindßay Macbie, W. Bannerrnan, xV. C. Begg, W. VTewitson, J. Gibb, R. Glcudining, Kirldand, Lo JCeong, Gordon Macdonald, Sttvenson, Dick, and A. l>on, Misees Lo ICeong, Di kson, Aimour. t>aunerman, Mackie, Keid, Cairns, Abelsted, and .rlelen Don. Messrs J. legs and 11. Reid also lent their assistance to the ladies. After the material nauts of both Chinese and Euiopenus had been thoroughly satisfied, an adjournment was made to the St. Andrew's Church Hall, where a largelyattended public meeting was held, most of the Chinese who had partaken of the tea previously being among thofc present. The Revs. W. Bannerman, A. W. Kyd, W. Hewitsop, J. M. Fraser, D Borrie, Rutherford Waddell, and A. Don occupied seats on tbe platform, and addresses weie given by Messrs Bannerman, HewitsoD, and Waddell. The Rsv. A. Don, in moving a vote of thanks to those who had contributed go liberally to the building of the mission premises — the church and the mans*, —said that the total amount raised was £619 Is lid. Of this amount £174 19d had been contributed by 889 Chinese, and the balance by Europeans. It may be stated that Miss Lindsay Mackie (a girl only 14 years of age) raised £14 0s 3d towards the building fund, and Miss Daisy Gairdner ,£3 3s 4d, both young ladies getting up sales of work for the purpose. Duiing the evening solos on a Chinese flute were contributed by Messrs Chan Luke and Wong Hin Ming. Messrs <■ Wong Wye and Key Chew Leet each played a selection on the harpsichord, and several hymns were also sung by. the assemblage, the Chinese singing in their own language and the Europeans in theirs.