POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 90, 27 August 1868, Page 2

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.

The usual general meeting of the committee win held at White's Hotel, at a o'clock p.m. yesterday, Present ;J. Ollivicr (chairman), the Mayor of Christehuroh, the Rev, W, .), llabons, 11. E. Alport, 11. Packer, the Uev Charles Fnisor, J. C. St Quentln, G. 11. Wilson, .1. P. M'Cardcll (lion, sec), CrosbUy and Ilcskctl). The chairman read a letter from Mr J, I. Jameson, suggesting that inlluouoo should bo brought to bear to obtain the consent of general and retail dealer* to give their employe's a half-Holiday on Thursdays during the summer season. Ho considered that it would be well to institute outdoor amusements during the summer months, and expressed an oj>iuion that he believed lha Corporation would aid such a movement to the fullest extent. It was resolved — " That Mr Jameson bo thanked for his suggestions, and be informed that while the committee concur with him in the desire for the establishment of a half-holtday, they regret Unit the Hchcme docs not wholly comu within the sphere of their action," The chairman said that members were aware that the object of tho meeting was to consider the appropriation of any surplus funds which might l'cmalu in tho hands of the committee after paying all expenses in connexion with the Hcrics of entertainments which would tcrminato on Tuesday next. Ho had been informed that tho receipts on tho previous evening amounted to X"4 Is B<l, and tho expenditure to £4 Cs 3d, leaving a deficit of 4s 7d. After paying all expenses, the total balance iv hand would be about £29. They had Tuesday next to take Into consideration, and if the weather happened to be tfnc> the meeting might safely reckon on this amount being increased to £35. The question was, what was to bo dono with the money, and it remained for some one to propose a resolution. Mr St Qucntin moved that the balance In hand should bo devoted towards the establishment of a free library. He thought it came within the provinco of tho committee to do something more than they hud dono already. They had now the confldenco of the public at large, and besides ailordlug amusement and instruction to tho adult population, they should endeavour to educate the young. It was true that they hod a Mechanics' Instltuto or a Literary Institute, but he did not think that it wont sufficiently far enough; and it had long been a question I with him why they should not band them-

j selves together and establish, not only a free | library, but a school of art and design in connection with it. He thought there would be no difficulty in raising a very large amount of mot»«y In the shape of subscriptions and tho proceed* of a ba*nar. By establishing a free library nnd school of art and design, the committee would be doing an act for the rising generation, the advantages of which it would he nt the present time quite impossible to calculate. The youth of a colony like New Zealand hud not tlte .<amc facilities nflforded to thorn as were within grasp at homo; nnd it therefore behoved tho committee to do something towards improving iheir conditiou. The first great step towards supplying the want consisted in the establishment of a free library, .Mr G. 11. Wilson seconded the motion. Mr < rosbic expressed his entire concurrence in Mr St Queutin's theory, but he considered that discussion on the subject of appropriating the surplus should bo postpnoj^l until the committee really kuew what amount they would have at disposal. The Mayor supported the view put forward by Mr Crosbie, oh he considered the proposal some* what premature. Mr St. Quen tin's viewwas a very good one, and if brought forward in proper time, he might in all probability accord to it his support. The Chairman expressed an opinion that any balance should for the present be allowed to remain undisturbed, it would really be like talking about throwing a bucket of water into the sea, to talk of appropriating so small a sum n* £35 towards tho establishment of a free library. Tho Rev. C. Fraser opposed the motion, and advocated the appropriation of the surplus to tho carrying out of open air amusements during the summer mouths. The Rev. \V. J. llabcns moved, as an amendment, "That the funds at the disposal of tho committee be devoted to the purpose of promoting future I'liblic entertainment* of an interesting and instructive character." Tho Hey. C. FnwtT seconded tho amendment, which, after considerable discussion, was put and carried. The Rev. Mr llabcns moved, Mr Alport secoudod,. and it was agreed to» "That intheoventofnuymotionbeing brought before the Chairman, and carried at tbc last entertainment, inviting the continuance of the scries, the meeting be informed that arrangement* will probably be iw.uk for that purpose." Some discussion took place :m to the issuing of the tickets. It was arranged that each member of the committee should be supplied with four platform tickets ; that each member should take fifty other tickets to dispose of > that member* should call for their tickets at Messrs Wilson aud Alport's, before noon, on Friday, and that any which remained after that hour should be uisp<)scd of to the public. There are eighteen mem,' her* of committee, s*> that 900 tickets altogether will bo distributed amongst tho people. The following programme was adopted for next Tuesday's entertainment : Opening address, the Hi-shop of Chris! church j rcadiug, Mr. J, G, Hawked ; part song, Tho Chapel Bell $ instrumental solo, Mr 11, Packer i reading, Mr J. Ollivier } piano solo, MrJ. Waddinstons reading,MrA.C.CottrcU j glee, " Come, bounteous May i" reading, "Martin Chuxsslcwlt," Mr J. McCurdclli instrumental selection ; reading, Mr J. M, Smith ; glee, " Wow, gentle Gales ;" concluding address, Mr C. C. Bowen j fiualo, " God Save the Queen."