“THE IRISH PILGRIM” AT TEMUKA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2286, 15 July 1880, Page 3

“THE IRISH PILGRIM” AT TEMUKA.

Mr J. P. Armstrong so generally and popularly known throughout Otago as the “ Irish Pilgrim,” a sonbriquet he has gained in consequence of his having so frequently delivered a lecture entitled “ An Irishman’s progress through the United States of •America,” very kindly consented to lecture at Temuka in the Volunteer Hall yesterday evening, in aid of the funds of the Mechanics’ Institute. The occasion under notice was the first time Mr Armstrong had addressed a Canterbury audience, and his fame was in consequence not very widely known, yet it proved quite sufficient to draw the largest audience that has ever assembled to hear a lecture in Temuka.

Since Mr Armstrong delivered his first lecture at Naseby in 1576 in aid o£ the funds of the local hospital he has lent his valuable assistance to more charitable objects than any man in the colony. Although his efforts have been principally confined to Otago, he has appeared in Wellington and Nelson. The objects have been multifarious, hospitals, library funds, churches, church bells, &c., ad lib., the only thing that has not changed being the unbounded satisfaction he has always given, and Wednesday evening added one more success.

Dr Hayes, the president of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute, occupied the chair, and in the course of his remarks in introducing the lecturer, briefly referred to the affairs of the institute. He said that they were still in urgent need of every assistance, as far as lay in the power of the residents of the town. The Institute had not proved self-supporting,which he thought it should be ; several grants had been received from the Government, but it was probable such aid would be discontinued. It had only been through the excellent management of intelligent committees, and the expenditure being based on the strictest rules of economy that they had money to keep their heads above water. Mr Armstrong was then introduced to the audience and proceeded to deliver his lecture. To say that he thoroughly carried the audience with him is only giving him scant justice. In a word the effect was “ electric.” Though not highly demonstrative, the Temukaitcs proved that they could appreciate genuine humour. Mr Armstrong is to New Zealand what Mark Twain is in America, viz. facile princcps as a lecturer. Thoroughly original, brimful of humour, and unconscious Irish wit, “An Irishman’s Pilgrimage through America, in 1548,” proved to be a journey abounding ■with incidents of the most amusing nature. Following Mr Armstrong through his tramp, one could almost imagine Lever had had him in mind’s eye when he wrote the adventures of the Irish Gil Bias, “ Con Cregan.” However, Mr Armstrong’s exploits were actual occurrences, and funny enough they were at times in all conscience. But their effect was heightened by the' admirable manner in which the lecturer related his experiences. The late Sir John Richardson when introducing Mr Armstrong to an Invercargill audience, assembled in aid of the Hospital fund, gave utterance to the following apt couplet ;—• “ Anxious to please,-we bring our Armstrong gun, Charged to the lips with frolic, mirth, and fun.”

These two lines convey a volume of meaning, and here we will leave the genial Irishman. Mr Mendelson in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Armstrong, said they were deeply indebted to him, not only for his kindness in lecturing, but also for the intellectual treat he had given them. For himself he could say he had never previously listened to a lecture with such great pleasure. The vote was carried by acclamation as also was a similar one, moved by Mr Armstrong in a happy speech, to Dr Hayes for presiding. During the evening Mr Harrison contributed a piano solo, Mr Hadfield a cornet solo, and Mr Clynch a comic song.