SOCIAL AT WAIORONGOMAI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 373, 1 June 1889, Page 2

SOCIAL AT WAIORONGOMAI.

As briefly noticed in our last issue, on Monday evening a valedictory social to Mr M. Lovell (who has been transferred to the head post office at Thames), took place in Waiorongoiuai Public Hall, commencing at 8 p.m. There was a good representative gathering of Waiorongomai residents present on the occasion, also fuiends from Te Aroha, Te Aroha West, Shaftesbmy, etc., every available seat being occupied, and quite a number had te stand. The Rev S. Lawry presided. The proceedings opened with singing " Hold the Fort," after which the Chairman gave a brief address, appropriate to the occasion, in the course of which he referred to the great loss the district would sustain by the removal of Mi! Lovell to the Thames, but it was sinceiely to be hoped that others would come forward and cany on the good work he had been engaged in. The following programme was satisfactorily carried out : Glee, The Blue Bells of Scotland, Company ; address, Rev F. G. Evans ' y song, The Silver Cup, Mr C. McLiver ; Pong (with conceitina accompaniment), Mr J. Slevin ; recitation, The Auction, Mins Ethel Goldsworlhy ; song, Close to the Threshold, Mihsßdakett; song (comic) — , Mr J. M"Liver, who in lesponse to an encore lecited Mary Queen of Scots; glee. The Harp that once thro' Tara's Hall, Company ; solo, flageolet, Mr J. Slevin ; duet, She sleeps in the Valley^ Mesdames Darby and H. Goldsworthy ; song (comic), I'll be Gay, Mr Chisel!, encored ; address, Mrllott ;- solo, played on a leaf, followed by the song, I am a Drover Boj*-, Mr J. Slevia. ; glee, D.nne Durden, Company. The next item on the Piogramme was the

ELECTION OF BAND OF HOPE GO&IMITTEE, The Chairman said with reference to this'matter : For some considerable time past Mr Lovell had viitnally been everything* in connection with carrying on the Band of Hope, ai ranging meeting, etc Now he whs about to- leave the di-,tiiot it was thought desirable that an orthodox Waiorongomai 15<ind of Hope Committee shonld be appointed in the ustwl way to take over the management and carrion the work, as they did not want it to fall to the ground. Mr Lovell informel him he had interviewed sevev.il persons on the matter, who had expressed their willingness to take office, and do what they could to assist the movement, and he would now call upon Mr Lovell to road out the names of those he proposed to nominate. Mr Lovell then came forward and said : It was usual, as the Chaiiman had remarked, to elect Committee's to carry on Bands of Hope, and it was aJsoin accordance with the rules of the Society. The Waiorongomai Band of Hopu was originally established by Mr Murray (schoolmaster at Waiorongomai) on November 27th, 1883. Soon after he (the speaker) arrived in the district, Mr Murray called upon him with reference to the matter and expressed his desire that a Band of Hope should Bo started, and it was decided to do so. Those who worked with them in the good cause in 1883-84-85, knew well with what grand success the work was crowned, how many pledges were taken, and how many turned over a new leaf and gave up the drink. To him the work had been a labour of love, and ho had cheerfully devoted a great deal of his spare timo to instructing the children and arranging for the various meetings, Latterly ho had been unable to devote so muoh time to the cause, which had been more or less at a standstill. He had done his best, and sincerely hoped earnest helpers would come forward and assist in carrying on the good cause. He now felt much pleasure in propo a ing the following as a committee to take over the manage* merit of the Waiorongomai Band of Hope. President, Rev S. Lawry ; Vice President, Rev F. (r. Evans ; Committee: Messrs Darby, Hoffey, James, Tregoweth, Slevin, Misses Nixon, and Munro. Mr H, Sonthoy seconded the proposition. The Chairman havinqf rend out the list of those nominated and seconded (i\* above), asked if anyone wished to propose any others ns membeis of the Committee ; this was a matter of special interest to nil members of t!v* Band of Hope, and he hoped they would vote on it. After waiting for a few minutes and no one proposing any other names the Chairman pul Mr'LovcU's proposition to

the meet.ing and it was carried unanimously. The Chairman announced that a first meeting of the newly-elected Committee would be held at the close of the proceeding that evening. Mr Lovell asked-the parents to encourage their children to take an interest in the work, and expressed the hope that the Waiorongomai Band cf Hope, and all other matters in connect on with the progress of Waiorongomai, would prosper. He returned his hearty thanks to all who had assisted in hoth the temperance cause and Sunday School ; and, referring to the latter- said the school had now an attendance of about 100, there were over 140* volumes in \he Sunday School library, and a balance of £5 or £6 in hand , The Chairman -said ft number of persons (more especially those connected with the Band of Htfpo and Sunday' School),, had expressed a de.siie that some more tangible expression should be made Mr Lovell of their esteem, and in recognition of the work he had done, than merely attending the farewctt social; but the time had been very short since it was known he would bo leaving. At the request of the Cominittee> however (representing both the Band of Hope and Sunday School), he had nowgreat pleasure in presenting Mr Lovell with a purse (he did not know how much \t contained), and hoped'he would accept it with their best wishes for himself, Mrs Lovell, and family. In reply Mr LoveJl said the presenta-tioa took him quite by surprise, and returned his very sincere thanks to those who had so kindly provided the gift ; also to all who had assisted him. in the good work at Waiorongomai, specially- Miss Nixon, who had worked hard, both in cotnection with the Band of Hope and Sunday School. The proceedings then concluded 1 with, the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and God Save the Queen. [Ihe purse presented to Mr, Lovell we believe contained about £5.},