TAURANGA TALES.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 333, 25 April 1885, Page 16

TAURANGA TALES.

Bell was in all her glory at the soiree on Tuesday evening. When is Emily going to Auckland ? Arthur ia getting impatient. The rowdy painter made a great row in church on Sunday evening. Who are those two young ladies who fight for the corner in church ? Sophy thinks Hurry is very long about getting the new house ready. What was Jim doing on Sunday to make those young ladies quarrel with him ? If W. cannot behave himself when he goes to a concert, he had better stay at home. Who' was that boor larrikin at the tea fight that, wheu the young ladies were not looking put his skins and rubbish into their plates ? On Tuesday night, the 14th instant, pursuant to the invitation extended to alt those (the Observer correspondent's included) whose finances allowed the purchase of a two shilling ticket, we found ourselves wending our way to the Temperance Hall, the scene of the soiree and concert in connection with the induction of Mr McLennan (' Our First Love ") to the charge of St. Peter's Presbyteria'nChurch. When within about thirty yards of the hall, owing to the quietness wh ; ch prevailed, we had a foreboding that the affair would not be a financial sucee33 j but, on gaining

the front entrance, and getting a glimpse of the .happy throng who appeared so busy — some devouring the viands, while others flitted hither and thither hurring on the work of demolition, we were agreeably surprised, and our gloomy forebodings vanished as— a long beer in the hands of little W. The tables were arranged in two rows on either side of the hall, and groaned under the weight of the proverbial plum cake, &c. A number of vases of flowers, which were interspersed over the tables, formed a very pleasing feature in the arrangements. The ladies who waited at the tables deserve praise for the manner in which they attended to the wants of the hungry multitude. George was satisfied ! S is « Bpeak9 volumes as > to quantity and quality. The first part of the programme having passed off without a hitch, with an inward feeling of satisfaction, shared by all present, we prepared to grapple with the second part, which was devoted to supplying the wants of the nobler portion of man— the mind. The food chosen for the occasion was composed of music and addresses. The first item having been rendered by the choir I very creditably, it was followed by a sensible, though somewhat rambling, address from the Rev. Chairman, after which the choir again came to the fore in the anthem, ' Lord, for Thy tender Mercy's sake." This anthem was nob nearly as well rendered as the preceding one, and betrayed a want of practise together. An address by the Rev. S. J. Neill had to be overlooked, the rev. gentleman having left for Auckland. The solo, ' G-ood night, Robin,' as sung by Mrs Snodgras3 was very much admired. This lady has a very sweet voice, and we are glad to note it baa not deteriorated under the ban of marriage — quite the contrary, another argument in support of Mr Mr Steele — marriage improves the voice. Rev. Mr Jones, the Wesleyan representative, in an eloquent speech, depicted the beauty of the scenery, &c, of Tauranga, and regretted that when writing to his friends he could not persuade his pen to ' come up to the scratch.' This gentleman, although not an Irishman, has evidently kissed the blarney stone, and being very observant and 3hrewd, should make a welcome addition to our population. One thing lie observed — • I have found ont this evening that the ladies of Tauranga know how to make good tea.' Mum's the word ! — the lady who knew how to make the tea was Mr John Maxwell ; there's a shrewd mess ! Oh,- that Johnny should have lived to be — never mind. Miss Fleetwood sang ' Ehrin on the Rhine,' but had evidently not given it the study it deserved. On receiving an encore, however, she responded with ' We'd better bide a wee,' which she sung with great effect. An instructive and feeling address by the Rev. 0. Jordan followed. We concur in the remarks which he let fall that, were parishioners to argue their grievances with their minister as man to man, a good deal, if not all, ill-feeling and wrangling between parson and people would be avoided. 'Philip, the Falconer' was the next aong on the programme, and was admirably chosen by Mr Snodgrass to suit his voice. We have never heard him to such advantage. An amusing address by the Rev. Steele brought the programme and entertainment to an end. The rev. gentleman strongly advocated matrimony, aud urged on the Rev. Mr McLennan the wisdom of taking the plunge instanter. The canny Scot could na see it, and so say all of us bachelors. Before concluding, I would like to bear testimony to the admirable manner in which the accompanists, the Misses Galbraitfh, Fleetwood, and Clayton, especially the latter, carried out their part of the programme. It has become quite the fashion to ignore the accompanists, but methinks a song it not nicely accompanied had better not be sung. During the evening one of the speakers, whose utterances savour of the twaddle that may be found in a certain weekly paperi made use of a word with the sense of which we do not agree, and we jotted it down for reference to Webster. A young lady close by whispered to her friend — ' That's for the Observer.' Being naturally retiring, we did not care to contradict her, so did the next best thing, we took her word for it, and we hope she is satisfied. We bay« no hesitation in pronouncing both the soiree and concert an unqualified success.