WAIORONGOMAI BAND OF HOPE.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 40, 8 March 1884, Page 7

WAIORON GOMAI B AND OF HOPE.

"As already explained, we were oblige I to hold over a report, ot last meeting of al'ovo sent us i<>r uisoi i ion uiuii t.iis isdie. On Thnr^lav evening, bVmiviry Zlfcth, a mt'*l entiiUfi«»stic Mivungot tne Waioroui'omai i>m<i ot Hope w a 1 * held in tin 1 sc'ioolhon^e ;it Wa oion^oinai ; 111 1 jo Key. Mr Fergtisun occupied t>e chair. The building was eiowdel to excess in every part, and over fifty were gathered r'nuid outside unable to find room in the building. After the chaunian had opened the meeting in tun n*nal lorm lie delivered a suitable address. Tne jnogramme wa> quite a formidable looking document, having some 40 or 50 names thereon of tnose purposing to take part, and we need scarcely suy a number iiad to bo adjourned till next meeting. iMany of the pieces were of very considerable merit, an I undoubtedly the movers in the temperance cause in \Yaiorougomai have abundant, material to worlc with, and can count upon the sympat'iy iiiul co-operation of many of the inhabitants The programme consisted of readings, recital ion?, sonys, and di.iJogues, interspersed wit.i several selee1 ions from Uoyles' temperance son us and hymns, aicompanied by the harnioniun. An»oni»sL the recitations, (hose by .Messrs Purdie, Hawkins, and Simpson met hearty appioval. A dialogue between Messrs F. and H. Soj>pett was excellently loiixeioJ ; whilst son^s Irom two little iritis of tender years, viz., j\[i^ses E. M. liir^t and E. tfurrell, rei!.'i\cd the waim applause they r-o well deserved. But the piece of tne eveningth.it i'-iirly bion^ho down the house, not iiom its literary merit, but fro.n the sentiments ti.eieiu expres.-ed, was lecited by Mr H. yo|»pett, an entitled (i Tne W..i >n n^omai La'i i ot Hope, ' composed bv Mr Midael Uionin (loed poety, and vhich we append below. The meeting Mas brought, to a clo&e almut ( .).15, and all seemeil t<> have tlioi-ougnly enjoyed the pleasant evening. A numlter ot Te A roll a iriends were present, tor who-e convex juice iiome a coac i was con-idcratcly provided by tne AVaioro:ii<om.u committee. Next meeting is arranged for Tuesday, 18th instant. Much credit is due to' Mr Lovell, tne very energetic secretary. You fair ones and you gentlemen, now list to what I say Concerning this our Band of Hope got up the other day. How modestly it started, when a few young men combined Against the curse of drunkenness ; the temperance pledge the> signed. ir Tis only last November since this branch was organised By our late state school teacher, whose efforts well weie prized. To join the young&teis of tins town in a happy temperance band ; That on thiough life, this famous strife, might flourish o'er the land. Unto our present secretary he gave the Band in charge, And manfully blie pjst he took, for the " prospects " they were large Of making it succe&stul, though then 'twas amateurs But now its well established, and its members are secure. Think what a life the drunkard leads, and on his wretched home ; No wealth nor mirth will there be found, but poverty and gloom. His wife is brokenhearted, his children cry for bread ; While he himself, a wretched fiend, has poison in his head. Now the honour of this Band let each one vindicate, And draw his friends and neighbours from the drunkaid's awful fate. To nvister in our ranks, anl gallantly to show A eision, hatied, anger, against our common foe. A ,aifi my fiiends of you I crave to # >our colouis co be Line ; Let's never flinch nor faHer from the goo I that we can do. And as we journey on through life, we'll break the diunkai I's yoke, And bless the day when first we joined the 'Waioroneonini Ban 1 of Hope.