THE BAND OF HOPE DEMONSTRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81866, 16 October 1906, Page 2

THE BAND OF HOPE DEMONSTRATION.

There was a fair attendance, not as big as the number of children performers led one to expect, at the United Bands of Hope Demonstration in the Theatre Royalv on Mondav night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill) presided, and there were also on the platform Rev. T. G. Brooke, Rev. Doherlv, and Mr C. H. Poole, M.H.R.. Fully a hundred children were arranged on the stage as a chorus, and after a pleasing item by the orchestra, sang . their opening song. Several songs and choruses were rendored at intervals, interspersed with dialogues, recitations, and concerted verses by the children. Little Misses Doris Pikett and Florrie Lcaland appeared in a lutlc study of temperance home life, and Miss Gladys Brooke, admirably "got up" as quite the gentleman, ro~ciled "Jacob Strauss." Master Reg. Gaukrodger recited "Vote It Out," and a group of five little girls urged in verse the baneful influence of "Drink," each producing a placard of a letter of the word as sfi e recited her linos. j n similar style "Sign the Pledge" was produced by 13 little girls, all arrayed in white. The performance of all the juveniles must have been pleasing to the workers, amongst whom Mis's Douglas (pianist and Messrs Okey (conductor), Gelding (leader of the orchestra), Gaukrodger and Pikett were conspicuous. Two of the items introduced novelties, the first a whistling refrain, and the second the "rap tap" of the cobbler's hammer. The Mayor, in his opening remarks, slated his approval of and his willingness to assist Band of Hope work, which had as its object the laying of the foundation of good, stable characters in the men and women of the future. Those who devoted themselves to such work, he said, in imparting this most valuable information to the little folk, deserved every encouragement and commendation. Mr C. H. Poole, M.11.R, fo r Auckland West, was soon on good terms with his audience, his native Irish humour enlivening a strong, resonant voice, with somewhat slow delivery It was a little while before he go; well under way, remarking thai it took the smell of blood in the triennial election campaign to set him going, and then he didn't know when to s:op. lint he admired the interim work of those who taught moral suasion, and who laboured in the Band of Mope field, striving to leave such impressions ;w would keep them straight through life. lie would address ilu'in principally on the theme. "On lite Box Seat," holding that every man had the power to sit on ihe box soat. It was a grand thing that all were given power, force—a grand thing lo control it, disastrous to l„se control. Mr Poole illustrated his meaning with many humorous, tales and striking allegories, passing] on to the asset lion that never in the, history of the world had such com111' ntlalile inieri'st been taken in th" welfare and the uplifting of the children. The Band of Hope like the school, was tin educational institution,, thai siiughl to save the children from the sin aticl wretchedness of diunkenness. He told the tale of squalor, misery, and starvation as it I,,",;! ,'""." :,retl lliw H Ol long ago in Auckland, and asked how men aim women could vote for iho continuance ut this evil which robbed men of their power of mind and' body, women of their virtue, and children of (heir patrimony and bread. lie denounced (hose who, before last election, had quoted Abraham Lincoln as the friend of the liquor traffic, and related an incident in proof of his assertion that this man, one of the noblest characters who had ever graced the political world, had deemed it an honour to take part in Band of Hope work. lie warned parents of their obligations, of the children's mode of learning by imitation—"as the old cock (.rows the young fine learns"— and, continuing in the tuathcrci) quotations, "Curses are like chickens, they come home 10 roost." Mr Poole concluded an eloquent and striking address amidst loud applause. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr Poole and to the Mayor for presiding. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the demonstration. At a light supper held in the Bur- j linglon Club rooms immediately af- | lorwarcK hearty voles of thanks were aocordeil in Miss Douglas,. Messrs ]' Okey and Guiding, .Mr Poole, the j' Movor, i|v> Ministers of the Gospel, and the Press. ' 11