MANUTAHI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3526, 30 August 1880, Page 2

MANUTAHI.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

August 28. — In this district our usual calm and simple life has been enlivened by the beautiful in song and sentiment, and I wish on behalf of the Committee to express our. heartfelt gratitude to the spirited promoters of an enteriainment held at the Manutahi Church. The Rev. Mr. Cameron presided on the occasion, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Several ladies and gentlemen from New Plymouth gave selections of music with great taste and feeling. The Misses Brooking, McLaughlau, and Cudd threw a spell over the company while discoursing sweet sounds. Messrs. George, Poote, and Cromwell performed in their usual masterly style. Local talent was not wanting. The Misses Rowe and Wells assisted by Messrs. White, Wells, Rowe, and Langman, entertained the company with songs in a very pleasing manner. The intervals were filled up by instructive and mirthful readings and recitations by Revs. Cameron, and Marton, Misses Matthews, Cartwright, and Master George Giddy. The reverberations of the melodious sounds produced on this occasion seemed to linger in the air, and broke out again in full volume at Huirangi on Wednesday night.

The Rev. Mr. Cameron again occupied the chair, and had the gratification of presiding over a very enjoyable night's entertainment. Several ladies and gentlemen from Waitara assisted the Huirangi choir, consisting of Misses Clemow, Rowe, Wells, and Messrs. White, Wells, Rowe, and Langman, and sang very effectively. Duets by Mr. and Mrs. White were rendered nicely, both being in good voice. Several solos by young ladies in the district were sung with great feeling.

Tne lads and lasses came to the front in great force, and recited their pieces, showing the germ of future excellence. Mrs. Giddy convulsed the company with a telling recitation. Headings by the Rev. P. Walsh and Mr. Bluck were very good. Messrs. Wakefield, Adlam, and Burg sang several solos in a very able manner ; and during the evening Mr. Ambridge performed in masterly style on the harmonium. The entertainment was held in the block-house built for the protection of the district in troublous times. Since then it has been converted into a very comfortable school-house, and occasionally made use of to discourse music in.

The old adage, " there is nothing succeeds like success," has been exemplified in this instance. We are so gratified by our success on both occcasions that we have determined on having another shortly. These social gatherings have a very beneficial effect on the young people in country districts, stimulating a taste for music. It is not an uncommon occurrence on a calm evening, when the sound of the lowing herds and bleating sheep are wafted from homestead to homestead, to hear a full, rich voice, burst forth into melody, the refrain taken up again and again, anon dying away like the sighing wind. Practising for the entertainments, no doubt.

BOROUGH COUNCIL NOMINATIONS. The following nominations were received today, by the Returning Officer, of persons qualified to fill the office of Borough Councillor :—: —

Central Ward.— E. T. Petty and J. T. Davis.

Western Ward.— R. Cock, jun., and H. N. Hooker.

Eastern Ward. —J. W. Sheppee, John Handy, and W. Beale.

A poll will take place on Thursday week, the 9th September, for the election of one member to each Ward,