A TEETOTALLER'S TROUBLES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 4, 29 January 1909, Page 4

A TEETOTALLER'S TROUBLES

) DIUj.MIBSED I'M A LODUE. 1 I '"The tiood Templars have turned old .Bill Hooker out of the Lodge for working in tho brewery," was the information given to a News representative yesterday. Tho statement was bald. Enquiries made during the day revealed that ilr. \V. Hooker, who, as most people in New l'lyniouth are aware, has been associated with temperance a'ld khidred work here for many years past, had been a member of the ligmont Lodge 1.0.(r.T. "on suirenmcu" for some weeks past. The trouble was hinted abroad at election time, but no decision was arrived at. Mr. Hooker told our representative that he had been a lumber of the Independent Order of Good Templars for 34 years past, and was a lifelong abstainer, lie took a prominent part in Hie resuscitation of the lodge as at present carried on. About thirty years ago he acted as secretary to tin; . lodge for nearly live years, and upon relinquishing the oilice was presented with a third degree regalia in recognition of the manner in which lie had carried out the duties, lie has been for some years secretary to the Primitive Methodist choir, Sunday School, and Christian Endeavour Society. Years and years ago, perhaps 30 years ago, .he worked with Messrs. Bundle in their lemonade factory, and, upon being forced to retire from another business owing to 'his health, he accepted a position in the Kginnnl Umvery performing minor duties such as putting hops into barrels, washin" up. and so on, but having noiliiii" to do with the actual manufacture of°beer. Three or four months ago an anonymous correspondent of a u™ s " paper drew attention to the fact that a brewers' employee was a member oi the Lodge, anil as a result a charge of violating the laws of the Order was preferred against the brother. The pledge provides that no member shall buy, sell, use, furnish, or cause to be furnished alcoholic liquor as a beverage. The lirand Chief Templar. Mr. Cameron, of Dunedin, was appealed to, and he held that upon the statement of the ease submitted to him Uro. Hooker bad not infringed the laws. A furtiler letter was sent to him by an ol' ■ cer of the lodge, and a reply of » similar nature was received, the (j.C.J . leaving the mutter to the lodge I o decide. The committee set up to consider the charge against the member had mo recommendation to make, and it hoped that the lodge was going to continue its trust in one of its oldest members:. But this was not to be. A young member rose and moved that Mr. Hooker be asked to resign, and the motion was duly seconded. An amendment was put forward that he asked to resign from the brewery. The motion was withdrawn, and the amendment carried. The subject of the discussion, whose resignation was desired " for the honor of the lodge," declined to do anything of the kind, whereupon the original motion was again moved, and carried by ihe meeting. However, the persecuted members vows be will resign neither from the. brewery -nor the lodge, and awaits the further decision of the lodge- ... . , . In the meantime the position is as follows:—Tho lodge declines to state that the member has broken his obligation, yet seeks to turn him out for that 1 offence.