PATEARGA

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 35

PATEARGA

February 25. — The annual soiree of the Patearoa Presbyterian Church was held on the 23st inst. More people than the church could hold took advantage of the fine evenmg to attend. A capital programme, first-class refreshments, and a good dividend for I Le church lash-box were features of the crt \rtainment. Our minister, the Eev. H. "Williams, occupied the chair, and with him en the platform was the Eev. J. M'Cosh Smith, M.A., 8.D., of Kaseby. Two other ministers were expected, but could not come. It may b<? said here that Mr Smith has often promised to attend soirees and other socials here. He has 20 miles to come, and the same to go back again — which generally adds a n .. T tle to the distance ; but although he may at tiraos be as much as half-a-minute late, he never fails to arrive. He is an old man, too, but uncommonly reliable. As a young man remarked to the writer during an interval in the programme, apropos of Mr Smith's inability, '"He's a terror to turn up!" The larl^j of the congregation, in addition to providing a large supply of the best quality of eatables (with the help of the bachelors, who were taxed), also had the church finely adorn ?d with flowers and evergreens. One of the principal items of the evening was an address by Mr Smith, the rev. gentleman judiciously mingling lighter material with the wisdom begotten of experience. The Chairman al°o addressed the audience in a though t-provoking way. The annual reports of the church and Sabbath School were presented by Mr D. C. Stewart, who holds the positions of treasurer and Sabbath School superintendent. The financial report was favourable as regards the church, but the Sabbath school showed some indebtedness and other shortcomings. The programme was as follows: — Part I — Psalm c; prayer, Eev. J. M'Cosh Smith; chairman's remarks ; anthem, "I am with thee," the choir ; solo, "Daddy," Miss Eva Hore; address, "Influence," Eev. Mr Smith; recitation, "The Volunteer Organist," Miss Brernner : solo, "The last muster," Mr J. Herlihy ; phonograph selections (first class), Mr W. Hall. Refreshments. Part II — Organ solo, "Qui Tollis,"' Mr Service; aiithem, "Open my lips,' the choir; solo, "The one word, mother,' Mi*<s Coram; reading, "Mr Pecksniff," Mr J. Crerar; solo, "The song the anvil 'jl.igs,' 1 "Mr J. M'Dowell; anecdotal address, Mr E. M'Skimming; solo, "They shall bhine," Mr Stewart ; recitation, Miss Bremner ; votes of thanks, etc.; anthem, "Softly now the light of day," the choir ; benediction. The organ in the anthems was well played by Miss M'Loan. The accompaniments to the solos were played by Misses Irvine, Herlihy, and M'Lean. Mr J. Pringle, M.A., a former occupant of our pulpit for two years, sent a kindly appropnato greeting.