BAND OF HOPE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 136, 30 November 1911, Page 4

BAND OF HOPE.

UNITED DEMONSTRATION. Last night the Theatre lioyiil wias wc 1! filled when the members of the Band of Hope Union gave a united demonstration. A capital programme was rendered, every item having a direct fearing on the temperance question. The demonstration was excellently organised, and each item was executed by the children most faithfully, particularly the action songs and! tableaux, which wore strikingly effective. Mr. McDiarmid presided. The programme was opened with the hymn, '•Right men are wanted," it being enthusiastically sung by the audience, and prayer, followed by the chairman's opening remarks. The South Road Band of Hope rendered a musical item, "A dip in the briny," whilst a dialogue, "Lessons of the corn,' was given by 25 children. The Rev. J. W. Burton gave a very interesting talk to the children. First of all, however, he asked the chaJdren a, puazle, viz., "What is the most valuable tiling in Taranaki." He received numerous replies, but not the right answer, which was "boys and girls." These, he said', would be men and women some day and needed protection from the liquor.

Misses Connett and Stewart sweetly sang "Lame .excuses." A recitation and tableaux by Mr. M. Scott and party illustrated a trial by jury, with the object of showing that a man who commits murder through drink was not alone to blame. The white ribbon vibrations was a simple method adopted by means of pairs of small girls and varied' lengths of ribbon of showing the comparative amounts spent in bread, schools, ietc., and lastly liquor, which completely eclipsed tho others. In the second part the Solvation Army gave an action song, "A lifeboat" Items were also rendered by the Juvenile Temple and the Fitzroy Band of Hope. The "Battle song" was Miss Goodacre's contribution. The concluding tableau, "Zealandia's message to the nations," was beautiful and brilliant. Each of the no-license districts sent forward a bright, happy child, each of whom told her story effectively, whilst the licensed districts, were represented by ragged children. Zealandia's message was Strike out the to.p line." Instrumental music was provided by an orchestra consisting of Miss Blanchett, Messrs. Jj. Goodacre (viloins), Benbow (flute), and McGregor (piano), Mies Douglas accompanying the children's items.