BAND OF HOPE, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1632, 10 September 1887, Page 3

BAND OF HOPE, GERALDINE.

An open meeting of the Band of Hope waa held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening last. The meeting was held for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr J. S. Waite, who haa for some years past been Superintendent of the Lodge, and has become very popular among the members. The ball was crowded to excess, a large number of friends and relations being present. The chair was occupied by the newly-elected W.0.T., Bro. A. Finlayson, who opened the lodge in the usual form. The following programme was successfully carried outßecitation, Bro, Harry Berry, “ The letter carrier ” ; duet, Sisters Fanny Gibson and Emily Maslin, “Sparkling water ”; reading, Bro. A. Finlayson, “Temperance”; song, Mary Quitman, “ Lay her playthings all away ” ; recitation, Bro. F. Dunlop, “ Work while you work ”; recitation, Sister Naomi Stringer, “ The Bee ”; reading, Bro. W. Berry, “ Puss and the oval; duet, Sisters Mina Dunlop and Emily Maslin, “The golden stair” ; song, Sister A. Hoskins, “Summer dayu”; reading, Bro. Harry Howard, “ The Drunkard and his Bible.” Mr Waite then addressed the meeting. He eaid that many of them w ere aware it was the last time, probably, for some time, that he should speak to them. He thanked them for tho assistance they had given him whilst he had been associated with them. Ho was glad to be able to tell them that a gentleman (Mr Maslin) had consented to take hio place. He trusted that he would succeed in the work better than he (Mr Waite) had done, and that the children would co-operate with him as they had done in the past with himself in the great work in which they were engaged. He hoped that ha might constantly hear of the Band of Hope in Geraldine making good progress. Mr Mabin would also assist Mr Maslin in carrying en the work. As there were a great many parents there he could tell them that it was indeed a great work, and that they looked forward for great results from the Band of Hope. He wanted all the members to again pledge themselves that night that with the help of God they would keep the pledge they had already taken, and be true to the Band of Hope in the future. He urged them to do all they could to bring other boys to join, and if they trusted in the strength of God ho hoped to see them yet stand high in the world and take a part in the affairs of New Zealand. He urged upon them to aim high ; to let their ambition be high, and then with God’s help and a firm resolution to do the right in all eases, they would be able to so through the world with honor to themselves. He strongly urged upon the parents to encou-age the Band of Hope by teaching the children their pieces, and by coming to hear them say the name. Tf this were done it would be better for both parents and children, and then they might look forward to a season of great prosperity and the blessing of God upon thoir efforts. He would now resign the appointment he had bold for the past two or three years into the hands of Mr Maslin. While he had held the office it had,been a source of great joy and pleasure to him, and it would be one of the thing* he would miss most keenly when lio left Geraldine. Mr Waite then inySsted Mr Maslin with tho collar of his office, and sac down amidst tremendous applause. v Mr Maslin tha'n called upon the W.C.T. to read a short address to Mr Waite, and 1 to make a presentation to him as a small recognition of the valuable labors lie had carried on amongst them. The W.Q.T. then read the address as follows “Dbab Mb Waitb,— On behalf of our Band of Hope I have to say a few words to you. As this will be the last evening you will be’amongst us—at any rate it will be for some time, for we expect to have you on some future occasion—l now take this opportunity to express our regret at your leaving us. We are all sorry to know yon are going away, and •will miss you very much. We are greatly indebted to you for the interest you hive taken in us all. Wo thank you for all your kindness, and trust jou will now accept this small present from us with our best wishes

for your lucure najjpuicoo. He also presented Mr Waite with a handsome gold pin acd pencil case, amid loud applause. Mr Waite said he was taken completely by surprise and scarcely knrw how to express bis thanks to them. Ho | usted that if ever he came to Geraldine ho should be able to come amongst them and find the same sentiments as were contained iu the address still held by them. He thanked them for the kind address, and also for the handsome present, which he could assure them ho should always wear with great pleasure on their behalf- Whenever he had occasion to use It it would remind him of the many huppy hours he had spent among them. He also wished to thank Miss Andrews and Mr Mabin for the assistance they had ' rendered him in (he management of the lodge. (Loud Hpp'anue). Bans and coffee were then handed round and appeared to be thorough’y enjoyed by both old and ymng. * The second part of the programme was then gone on with as follows Recitation, Bro. George Cheatermain, “ The child’s.first grief” ; reading, Sister Anne Houghton, “ The right way to be good ” ; reading, Bro. George Bloomfield, “ The reformed father”; trio, "Father, don't you hear the angels”; rmiuiion, Bm, Seymour Willoughby, “ The tune crow ” ; The Bev. J. W. Dean then addressed the meeting. He was glad to see so many pre. lent, but regretted the occasion that brought them together, namely, to bid farewell t< Mr Waite. He bad been a true friend t( them all, snd he sincerely hoped that bis re moral would bs for his good, although h' (Ur Dean) thought it would not be fo tbein. He hoped they would remember Uu

lesions Mr Waite had been teaching them for some years past. He hoped they would remember the instruction he had given them week after week, as he had gathered them around hi , and his advice to have nothing to do with strong drink and the other evils he bad warned them against. If they remembered these lessons he had no doubt but that they would grow up good and respectable members of society. For himself ho was sorry Mr Waite was going away, as he believed be was the right man in the right place. He was very pleased to see that they had made some little recognition of Mr Waite’s services. Ho was very glad to see euoh a large gathering, and was sure it would be a good thing for the country if some of Her Majesty’s ministers could be got to visit some of these children’s gatherings. When they could get together suoh a largo number of young people at a simple Band of Hope meeting in euoh a small township bethought there was not much need for free immigration. (Applause). Recitation, Sister Emma Oeltman, “The first lie ”; recitation, Sister May Fisher, “ A holiday call ”; reading, Bro, Frank Gaby ; duet, Sisters Maggie and Susy Morrison, “ They're coming home to-day ” j reading, JBistor Alice Clarke, “ A New Year’s gift.” Mr Mabin then addressed the meeting, expressing his pleasure at seeing Bo many present to say “ Goodbye ” to Mr Waite, and bis hope to hear from him again, and that the Band of Hope might still continue to flourish under the charge of Mr Maslin. (Applause). Mr Maslin then addressed the children in a few words, and stated, among other things, that it was intended to ohangs the night of meeting from Tuesday to every alternate Thursday evening. The next meeting would bo next Thursday week. The W.OiT. then closed the Lodge in the usual manner, three cheers being given for Mr Waite,