THE BAND OF HOPE, MR JAGO, AND THE WESLEYAN HALL.

Evening Star, Issue 3152, 27 March 1873, Page 3

THE BAND OF HOPE, MR JAGO, AND THE WESLEYAN HALL.

To the Editor, Sir,—lt is scarcely fair of Mr Jago to give the Kcv, Mr Reid the undivided credit of having refused permission for Dr (?) Dunn to talk to Band of Hope children in the above Hall. The fact is that such refusal was the act of the trustees, and I believe they held but one opinion thereon. I should be sorry to agree with Mr Jago, and to think that because Dr Dunn has given no drinking beer, that therefore—an unblushing impostor though he may be—he is a proper individual to lecture the youth of both sexes, connected principally with tho several churches of the City, who may form the Dunedin Band of Hope. A letter which, a few days ago, appeared in your columns from the secretary to the Band of Hope was calculated and intended to cany the impression that the trustees have, in the past, charged the Band of Hope a rental for the use of the Hall. 1 his. though of course such a proceeding would have been quite in order, is not the fact. All the trustees have ever asked or bad (though they have not bad this yet) has been a fee of three shillings per week, which B'im was intended, in part, to pay for the gas consumed at their weekly meetings. The difference between three shillings per week, and what the Band may have to pay for other quarters, has been “ a contribution ” from the trustees, freely given through the fatherly love we bore them. Have the trustees no right thep to exercise thus much of supervision over this band o f young hopefuls, as to say we will not allow any who may be known to hold the truths of the Bible as a farce, to instil, under tho guise even of temperance, ruin into their young minds ? I think they have, and I also think that that section of the public, whose opinions are to be valued on this subject, will think so too.

The children of the Band of Hope deserve our sympathy, and have it; but I much regret that the noisy portion of the managing committee of the Band, president and secretary included, are not better leaders and more decreet. However, that they are not so is no wonder, when their chairman at tea meetings (Mr Jago) enjoins his young charge to entertain respect to such as Dr Dunn. I am not altogether sure whether, under any circumstances, the Band can be permitted to continue to use the Wesleyan Hall, but their president (Mr Cameron) has had an intimation that if such continued use is at all desired, it 'will V>e necessary for tte committee of the Band of Hope to dismiss their secretary, and to make proper apology for impertinent utterances reflecting on the Rev. Mr Reid and the trustees. I must apologise for trespassing on your space ; but 1 could not say all I wanted to say in fewer lines,—l am, &c., A Trustee. March 26, 1873.