BAZAAR AND TEA MEETING AT SOUTHBROOK.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 98, 23 September 1874, Page 2

BAZAAR AND TEA MEETING AT SOUTHBROOK.

The rising little village of Southbrook was on Monday last very much enlivened by the presence of a large number of visitors to a bazaar and tea meeting, given by the Wesleyan friends of the district. It will be remembered that some months ago the Kaiapoi Wesleyan Circuit was divided into two parts, the one to be called the Rangiora, and the other the Kaiapoi circuit. The former embraces the Southbrook, Ashley, Raithby, Woodend, and Leithfield districts, the headquarters being Rangiora, or perhaps, more properly speaking, Southbrook, as, although the minister’s residence is in the first-named district, the place of worship is in the latter, having been removed from Rangiora soon after the district was divided. It is, however, in contemplation to build another chapel near the centre of the principal town, and the site has already been secured. Consequent upon the removal of the Rangiora Chapel, and additions having been made to it, there has been a debt upon it for some time, and to pay this off, and assist the circuit funds, it was decided to hold a bazaar and tea meeting. At first it was only intended to have a small sale of articles, and not to call it a bazaar ; but contributions coming in very freely from the outlying districts of the circuit, it was found advisable to enlarge the proposed operations, and a most successful bazaar and tea meeting on Monday last was the result; the amount taken being more than enough to pay off the debt on the chapel and deficiency in the ordinary circuit account, and leave a balance of £8 in hand. The bazaar was held in the recently erected district school, the one end of the largest room in the building being fitted up as a refreshment room, and the other with tables for the sale of the large supply of useful, fancy, and ornamental articles that had been collected. The stalls were presided over by Mesdames Steggall (treasurer), Bull, Lucas, Thompson, Seed, and Protheroe, and Miss Neale, and these ladies were very successful in disposing of their varied assortment of goods. The refreshment stall was under the charge of Mrs Keetley and Miss Josling, assisted by Mr Steggall and Mr James Wallace, the latter gentleman presiding at the confectionary department, and did a roaring trade with the juvenile portion of the visitors. At about 4 o’clock, Mr Buss, auctioneer, who had kindly given his services for the evening, commenced the gift auction, by offering for sale a quantity of live stock, consisting of calves, sheep, horses, poultry, &c., which fetched good prices, and then adjourned to the schoolroom and disposed of most of the remaining fancy goods. The circuit tea meeting was by this time in readiness, and was also held in the schoolroom, the six tables being supplied by the different districts in the following proportion ;—Southbrook, 2 ; Waikuku, 1; Rangiora, 1 ; Woodend, 1 ; and Ashley Downs and Raithby, 1. They were presided over by Mesdames Lucas, Heisenbuttle, Seed, Ellis, Ayers, Salkeld, and Graham, and the Misses Howard, Dixon, Skevington, Judson, and Farrer. The tables were several times filled before all were satisfied, and it was computed that about 250 sat down to tea. The tea - and auction sale being over, a general move was made for the chapel, where the public meeting was held. The chair was taken by the Rev H. Bull, the circuit minister, the room being exceedingly crowded. The proceedings were commenced by the combined Southbrook and Woodend choirs, under the leadership of Mr Head, singing “ What are you going to do, brother.” Mr James Little, the senior circuit stewart, then explained the present condition of the circuit, showing that the debt of the church would be paid off by the money received that day. The choir then sang “ Love for Jesus.” Mr D. Graham was then next speaker, and gave an interesting address on the Wesleyan Reformation. Hymn by the choir : “ Work, for the night is coming.” Mr R. Meredith next spoke, and at consiperable length, upon the general aspect of the Christian church, and another hymn by the choir “ Portals of mercy ” followed. Mr J. S. Thompson was called upon, and addressed a few remarks upon earnest living, showing that he lives who lives to God alone, all others being dead. “ Beautiful land of rest ” was given by the choir. Mr T. Sharplin followed in a humorous speech on the first principle of true knowledge—Man, know thyself—He made allusions to the ancestry of different persons, but claimed Adam as his ancestor. The Rev J. Armitage was the next speaker, and gave a most instructive address on making a profession of religion. He explained what religion is, and that every one should not only profess but practice religion. The chairman then intimated that a collection would then be made in aid of the circuit funds, which being done, he gave a statement of the receipts for the day as follows :—Receipts by fancy sale, £46 4s lid ; by auction, £ls 12s 3d ; refreshment, £5 19a Id ; total, £67 16s 3d, which, he said, would pay off the debt on the chapel. [Cheers.l The amount received from the tea meeting was £l4 11s 6d, making a total for the day of £B2 7s 9d, leaving a balance of £8 in hand, after paying debts on the church. Mr Meredith here came forward and said that he had been appointed to inspect the Sunday schools in the district, and had offered three prizes for the best essays on the Reformation, and three for the best essay on the life of St. Paul. He said that the first prize was awarded to Miss Norton (Woodend school), and presented that young lady with a handsomely bound copy of Longfellow’s poems. The second prize was awarded to Miss Pashby (Kaiapoi school), and the third to Miss Hurrell (Southbrook school). In the second division the first was Miss Johnston, second Master Wake (Kaiapoi), and third Miss Hill. Votes of thanks were then passed to the choirs, the ladies who presided at the bazaar and tea-tables, and others who assisted, and a very pleasant meeting terminated with the choir singing “ Shall we gather at the river.” The different pieces by the choir were nicely rendered, Mrs Bull presiding at the harmonium. The stewards are indebted to the school committee for the use of the room, to Mr Buss, auctioneer, and Mr Bartrum for the use of his conveyance.