SOIREE AND CONCERT AT GROPER’S BUSH.

Western Star, Issue 346, 24 April 1880, Page 5

SOIREE AND CONCERT AT GROPER’S BUSH.

La<t evening a most successful entertainment was given at the sehoolhquse, Groper’s .Push. The object was a dual one- to.raise a sum of money to assist in establishing a public: library for the district, plso to 'celebrate the opening of Mir new school. The school build nj has .just been completed, and will,be taken possession of in a few days. It, is a very handsome and comfortable structure, capable of accommodating 7.-> pupil's. 'The district is to be congratulated upon having a building in keeping with its importance. The practical agitation for the establishment oTa library in the district is'but. of recent date, but so warmly lias the mutter been taken in hand by Messrs'Jolly, Eddie, an I, Johnston, whose exertions wore, well seconded by the residents generally,' that an order has already, been fonva-de I to the Education Board for £6O worth of. books as the nucleus of a library. . Tlie ..edibles for tiie soiree, which took place in the old schoolroom, were, provided by the ladies of the district gratis, so that nearly the whole of the sum accruing from the sale of tickets will be available for the library. It is but a just remark to make that in regard to quality, quantity and variety, t lie display would have done credit to a profes- / sional purveyor. The guests were waited up <xy' by Mrs Soho lea, Misses llodgkinson,' Gumming, Officer, Borland and Valli. The room being 100 small to accommodate the whole of. the visitors at one sitting, several relays took place. Shortly after eight o’clock the party a 1 joumed to the new schoolroom, where the concert took place. Dr Hodgkinson was voted to the chair, and introduced 'the proceedings by a very appropriate and interesting address, having, special reference to the younger portion of the audience, and pointing out the value, for educational purposes of a library in a district. Ho also referred .to the great advantages in tho pursuit of knowledge which young people of the present day enjoyed over those of but a comparatively short time ago. He concluded by hoping that the library would be a centre of light and mental illumination to the district. After a song by Mr Tractor, and a recitation by Master A. Willett, the Eev. J. Oarneron addressed th, 1 * meeting in a very happy strain, and gave somf wholesome advice as to the kin I of books which were mo-t profitable to read. Songs and recitations followed by Miss Eeidic, Messrs Procfcoi, M'Kenzic, Jolly. Valli, Handers >n, Ward, aujl Brown, all of which were most ere litably given, and several enCorts were demands i anj rdspondcd to. Votes pf thanks to the ladies and "the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. Thereafter an adjournment was nia ie to the old schoolroom, where dancixig was indulged hi for aa hour or two.