GOOD TEMPLARS' GALA DAY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 269, 5 January 1875, Page 5

GOOD TEMPLARS' GALA DAY.

THE PICNIC. ' . New Year's Day was selected by the District Lodges of the Independent Order of Good Templars as a day on which to hold a grand demonstration, and the success which attended this, their first effort in such a direction, leads to the belief that New Year's Day hereafter will come to be recognised as a day set apart for Good Templar celebrations. The whole affair on Friday was one of the greatest of successes. The Bannockburn Lodge came in in procession anout ten o'clock, and about half-past the procession was formed, Mr A. Peach and Mr W. Grant acting as Marshals. Banners were waving and flags were flying in abundance, and the procession, as it marched down the street with the Cromwell Brass Band at its head, playing lively tunes, was a gay and pleasing sight. The spot selected for the Picnic was the gully behind Mr John Towan's farm, about three miles from Cromwell, —rather far, perhaps, for pedestrians, but no place so suitable could be found nearer at hand. Besides members of the Lodges, with their wives and children, the "public in general" (who were invited to attend) put in an appearance in great numbers ; and horsemen and vehicles kept arriving at intervals throughout the afternoon, until there could not have been less than 300 people on the ground. Refreshments were provided in galore ; buns, cakes, lollies, fruit, &c, <fec., were laid out on tables free to one and all, while in the shape of liquids, ginger-pop and other such decoctions were there by the barrel. And as a full and well-supplied water race ran near, all those that thirsted had ample facilities for quenching their drouth. Money was collected, and foot-races, sack-races, three-legged-races, and other sports were organised, including races for the ladies and children. Wi hj the aid of the Cromwell Brass Band, those who felt so inclined were enabled to trip the light fantastic ; and thus in one round of • leisure the hours quickly flew past. The day was dull and rather close, though muih- more enjoyable than if the sun had been shining out warm and oppressive. Unfortunately, about half-past three o'clock rain began, and it was found advisable to make a start homewards. Mr William Grant made a few remarks before the dispersion took place, to the elect that. he, on behalf of the Order, hoped this would not be the last occasion on which such a pleasant reunion would occur under the Templars' ampices, and thanking the outside I public for attending and adding by their j presence to the general enjoyment. He also I save a special return of thanks to the Brass Band for their welcome services. Vehicles were then got tinder weigh, horsemen ard pedestrians made a start, and the procession was re-formed. On the road homewards, an I accident happened to one of the traps, which was the only occurrence in the day's proceedings that in any way tended to mar the general pleasure and enjoyment. The seat of the trap broke, and the driver was thrown out. The horse took command into his own hands, or feet rather, and bolted at full gallop. He was not long before he succeeded in overturning the conveyance, and it is an almost miraculous thing that the occupants, who consisted entirely of ladies and children, escaped without any serious injury. One of the ladies stunned for a short time, and it was fearr-d for some time that she might be severely hurt, but happily it proved otherwise. This was the only coti.tref.emps, and Cromwell wn? reached at an early hour, everyone pleased 1 with the day's sport and only sorry that the rain—which fortunately was not very heav\ —should have interfered with them in theii enjoyment. CONCEttT AND DANCE. In the evening, a Concert was given in th« new Athenreum building. The rather hudprices of ss. and 3s. were charged, but thej were paid ungrudgingly, the feeling being that after so first-class a day's sport for no. thing, a little extra should not be grumbled I at for the night's amusement. The attend an ct j was very good, and although we have no' . heard the monetary result, probably it would , be quite £3O. It is not our intention togiv< . a detailed criticism of the different songs arte readings. But with the assistance of tin Brass Band, a thoroughly pleasing entertain I ment was civen. The songs and chonise i had evidently been assiduously practised, anc I were all rendered excellently. The onlylad] \ '■ singer was Mrs James Corse, and her song ' ! "Spring, gentle Spring," was received witl , , every mark of approval. Mr William Gran • was in the chair, and at the beginning of thi proceedings delivered a ahort and weil-pu

; addTess, •with a" copy of'which we havo.tx»JT •" favoured. Mr Grant said : Sisters, Brethren, and. Friends,-The lan« :ma-e that I'have at my command will fall very short indeed, in enabling'nie to express the plea* sure that t experience'in presiding over the present meeting, particularly bo when I inwardly think that we are here congregated together as modern reformers, under the special patronage of the Independent Order of Good Templars, having for-oitr object the great and all-important work of temperance reform. Respecting the Independent ( ! rder of Good Templars, I may Btate that scarcely six months have elapsed since the tirst lodge was instituted in this district, and now we have three lodges in the Cromwell district, numbering in all upwards of two hundred members. Such being the case, lam sure that you will bear me out when I say that the success that has attended our noble order has far exceeded even our most {anguine expectations. In justification of the fireat work that we aro engaged in, need 1 remind you that we live in a world of sin, sorrow, sickness, and death, and I boldly assert, challenging contradiction, that the worst enemy to physical man is the intoxicating cup. As a proof of the many evils arising from intoxicating drink, need I point to theCromwell cemetery, and ask you to recal to your memori-s the mimbers of our fellow-men that have fallen victims- to intemperance, and have ended by Occupying a premature grave as a last resting place upon earth. And are we not here to-night living miracles of mercy, providentially spired to herald forth.the sad waraings;.o£ our past experience ! . But in addition to our own V experience, we have the warnings of scripture, . the teachings of nature, together, withjhistory, jointly lifting their warning saying, be-. V ware of intoxicatin s. drink ! What!further,testi-" many is needed of the great necessity that exists ' to drive intemperance from the land. Convinced as T am of the many evils that daily arise from drinking habits and customs, I say,—Stand up, brethren and hearers, in the true nobility of your manhood, and denounce intoxicating drink. Learn to enjoy life free from slavish appetites, and health, happiness, and prosperity wdl be yours through many coming years. The Rev. B. Drake also gave a highlyinteresting and very eloquent address upon Good Templary, instancing in-happy language the good done in individuafcases, and urging a firm stand and energetic working for the future on the part of the district lodges. Mr • Lbece, also, of Nevis Perry, remarked shortly upon the necessity of united action, complimented the Templars upon the manner in which they had kept their vows during the holidays, and impressed upon the class of moderatedrinkers the advisability of becoming members of the Order. We had almost forgotten to mention one of the treats of the evening, in the shape of a recitation by Misa I Leece, a little girl ten or twelve years old, which was very well and plainly rendered, and was received with loud applause. The concert being finished, the seats were cleared away and preparations made for beginning dancing. A large number remained, land under the M.C.-ship of Mr E. Barnes, the music being supplied by the Band, the time was very pleasantly spent until two o'clock. At this hour, the Band gave in, and most of the townspeople took their departure; but those from the out-districts, being unable to get beds in the town, and the night being altogether too dark for travelling, decided to stay where they were. A concertina was se- | cured, and until four o'clock a very sociable I time was spent, dancing being relieved by a song occasionally. At daylight, of course, the party.broke up. So ended the first Good Templars' Fete in Cromwell, and we are only echoing the universal opinion when we say that from first to ' last the affair was a thorough success. The 1 j picnic especially gave the utmost satisfaction; ■ j everyone was made welcome, and every ex- ' j ertion was made to secure the universal en'ijoyment,—a result that was attained in the '' i highest possible manner.