GOOD TEMPLAR’S ENTERTAINMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 20, 19 June 1875, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLAR’S ENTERTAINMENT.

The Patca Good Templars held their first open. Lodge meeting on Thursday evening last, at the Immigration Barracks. The novelty of the entertainment had the effect of attracting a large attendance of the uninitiated, including a large number of ladies, all of whom were comfortably seated. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Williams, sen., and the Chief Templar’s post was filled by Mr D. Smith, supported on his right by Sister Keys, and on his left by Sister Smith. There were also present a number of the Sisters of the Order, who were attired with the insignia of their respective offices, and whose presence lent an imposing effect to the gathering. As the public attended the entertainment as the invited guests of the brethren of the Order, it would be ungenerous on our part to criticise the defects in the rendering of the different readings, songs. &c., by those who kindly volunteered their efforts on the occasion, but we shall go so far as to remark that many of the gentlemen who essayed to read were entirely at sea in the task they had undertaken to perform—perhaps in a weak moment —but as entertainments of this character are intended for the social and intellectual advancement of the members of the Lodge, wc have no doubt, with practice, improvement .in this respect will he effected. There was an apparent want of musical accompaniment, which placed many of the singers under disadvantage. The entertainment was opened with a humourous reading by Bro Whelan, which provoked a good deal of laughter, Mr Rhodes followed with a comic song, which was well received. Sister Whelan then sung “ I had a Dream” in very nice style, Bro Keys gave a humourous reading, entitled “ Handy Andy’s Little Mistakes,” Bre. Sergeant responded to the next item on the programme by singing the “ Calico Printer’s Clerk.” Bro. D. Williams followed with a reading from Artemus Ward, entitled Crossing Dixcy’s Land. Bro Morgan then sung “Water Cresses,” which elicited applause. Bro. Holtham’s reading of Baffling at Oxford created great merriment, and was followed with a song—the “ Blind Boy” —by Bro. Gilson. The next item was a reading by W. Williams, jun. Bro. Startup sung Mother Kiss me in ray Dream.” Bro Rhodes was again at home in a comic song, which created great amusement, and was followed by Master Carey singing the “ Lancashire Lass.” Sister Keys then sustained the next item, which was a song, “Do they Miss at Homo,” with good effect, and was greeted with applause. The chairman gave a temperance reading, which brought the evening’s entertainment to a close.