CATHOLIC SOIREE AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 4, 30 October 1891, Page 27

CATHOLIC SOIREE AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

(Manawatu Times, October 20.)

Entertainments in connection with 8t Patrick's Church at PalmerBton have invariably been a success — due no doubt to the energy of the pastor, the Key Father Patterson and ready and willing assistance given by the members of the congregation — but last night's soiree and social must be described as Dot only the most successful and enjoyable ever held by the Roman Catholics of tbe district, bat that has yet taken place in Pa'merston. Even the most sanguine could never hare anticipated such a large gathering, and the wonder was where all the people came from. Ptop'e were not there by tens but by hundreds, and tbe Theatre Royal was tßxed to its utmost capaci'y, not for 6eating accommodation but to give s'.anding room to those who were present. Certainly the number present at last night's soiree and social has never been approached at a similar gathering of the kind in Palmerston. Members of all denominations were there, and enjoyment and festivity prevaded every corner of the hall. That the Rev Father Patterson and his helpers were elated at the result could only have been expected, and they may deservedly take credit to themselves for assisting in carrying through an entertainment, unparalleled, ao far as Palmerston is concerned, in success. Throughout the evening every attention was paid to the convenience of patrons, and not only was there not a single word of complaint in this respect, bat one and all were ieady to admit that the affair from first to last was in the highest degree pleasant and enjoyable and that they would be only too glad to have the opportunity of attending a similar gathering at a future date. Unqualified success is the only term that can be applied to the gathering as in any way indicative of tbe result < At 630 the hull was thrown open to the public, and on the three tables, occuprirg the whole leng'h of the hall, were laid eatables — wholesome, palatable, sweet, and in every way ctlculated to prove enticing to the tastes of patrons, thanks to tbe forethought of the lady members of the congregation. The decoratioas were pretty and taste, ful ; in fact, the whole arrangements in connection with the feasting portion could not have been improve! upon. Within a few mirjutes of tbe opening of the hall every seat was occupied, and so the crush continued without intermission for upwards of a couple of hourp. Tbe fljw of people towards the tables aeemei to be incessant, and it was impossible to guage the number who parto' k of the innumerable good things provided. The supply, on tl.e other hand, appeared to be incxh iu.tib'e, and as fast as one supply disappeared it was replaced by as equally inviting a repaat, The various lady and gentleman as-istants were assiduous and energetic in thiir eff jrts to satisfy the want-j of patrong, and their task of supplying the wants cf tbe hundreds who presented themselves A tbe tables must iruly hays been an arduous one. Fallowing is a list of the names of tbe ladiei who presided over the tables : — No 1 tab'e — Mrs Crcaven, Misses Jickson, Kite Dowiinjj, Hodgson, Keegan (2) No 2 table (Children of Wfiry) — Misses Dixon, H n'ey, Oakley, Ca^anagb, Culhnane McDonald, Kiiven, O'Kielly and MeOonnel, with the assistance of Mesdanus Sla tery sni John Sullivan. Nj 3 table — Jltsdames Fak > aud Hickey, and Miss Woodward. The bachelors' table was on tbe stage, and wat presided over by Misses Cronin and Misses O'Dmc '1 and M. O'Connor. After the tea the hall was immedia'ely cleared, and a concert followed, wl ich proved of a very appreciable character. The choiup, " Kyiie Eleiton." by the choir, was splendidly euDg. Mis McMinn sang " In O d Vadni " with much tatte and fetlmg, and her r.ch voice was heard to great advantage. Mr O'Sulh van, a vocalist new to Palmers'on, has a baritone vo cc cf rare power, and his sin^inj of '• RjcktM in th 2 crailo of the deep" and '• Iv happy moments" st-cureJ for hinnelf a favourable reputation. Mr A. Jack dance 1 a sailor's hornpipe ani Irish jig in first clasj s'yle, and his unexcelled dancing fairly brouyht down the hou ; e Mr Jick al-o played several tunes on the bagpipes in the m,st approved style. Miss Rogers sang '■ Eileen Alannah " very nicely ; Mrs Sullivan secured loud plau uts for her vocal contribution ; the duet, " The wind and the haip," by Misses Henley and Shepherd, was a very pleasirjg item, as also were the duet, " Ora Pro Nobis," by the Misses Rogers , and Miss Shepherd's singing of " Marguerite." Accompaniments wera played by Misses McMion and Hollis, and the R v Father Patterson and Mr Bottomley, and left nothing to be desired. Taen followed a dance' the music for which was BupplieJ by Mr Bcttomley (piano) and Mr Meynck (cornet), who gave every tatisfaation. Mr I Fak; actei as M.C., and carried out his duties in a veiy creditable manner under the duaivantage ot having to supervise a regular crush of daticersi who were rather too numerous for the sizi cf ihe hall. Everything went " Bwimmm^ly, ' however, and at 11 o'clock the most enjoyable gathering of the km i that has ever bejn held iv P.lmerston was biought to a c ose.

It is estimated that ovar 800 people were present, and ii eluded visitors from Birmingham, Campbelltown, Foxton, Ashurst. and other places. The Rev Father Patterson expecto thit abcut £40 will be netted, but the exLct results will not be known until the returns of the sale of the tickets are obtained.

It mast be mentioned that the Palmerston Fire Brigade BrHl Band played a nu > ber of selections in excellent style in front of the Tbea're during the evening.