MR VINCENT PYKE AT A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 112, 31 March 1870, Page 6

MR VINCENT PYKE AT A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOIREE,

CROMWELL.

The " Cromwell Guardian " reports that after the tables had been removed, and the company reassembled, Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M., was called upon to preside. He introduced the business of the evening by a humorous address, illustrative of social life during the earlier days of the Australian goldfields. The anecdotes with which his remarks were embellished pi'ovoked a good deal of meriment. In particular, the amorous propensities of the miners during their holiday spells, and their predilections for contracting matrimonial alliances were recounted by the speaker amidst much glee. He then proceeded to give some racy details respecting his memorial expedition overland to the West Coast. Referring to the party, he said that they were English, Irish, Scotch, Yankee, &c, and in adjusting their national proclivities he described some amusing adventures in which he was involved. The preservation of certain medical comforts, including a case of dark brandy, was a scource of anxious solicitude to him. (Laughter and applause.) In fact it taxed his ingenuity sorely before the happy and successful expedient struck his mind. (Roars of laughter.) Well, continued Mr. Pyke, I got it at last. I labelled the keg — " Poison, for the preservation of skins." (Loud applause and laughter.) The ominous keg was regarded with a species of holy horror, when many a thirsty sotxl would gladly have quenched its thirst had they known the true nature of its contents. Time wore on, and the party got to a river which had to be swam. He (the speaker) got a good ducking, and to counteract its effects he had recourse to the keg. His companions looked on with blank dismay when they saw him despatch a tolei'able good "nip." (Laughter.) Finding that he did not drop down a dead man, they commenced to snuff up something in the atmosphere, and although tne liquor had become as black as ink, the Scotchman, nevertheless, succeeded in detecting it to be a beverage hallowed to the memory of his early days. (Laughter.) In conclusion, jjthe speaker said that although he had occupied many prominent positions in his day, Chairman of a Free Soiree was a novelty to him, and if he had not quite hit the mark he trusted they would accept his apology iv conjunction with his explanation. (Applause.)

The " Clunes Guardian," a Victorian paper published within the electoral district of Creswick, thus refers to the members of the district : — Our worst enemies could not wish the district a greater puishment than to be represented by two such men as Miller and Frazer ; surely that is sufficiently disfranchisement. It is with the latter that we have now to deal, the former's crimes are political, the latter's are social, and not only unfit him for a place in Parliament, but for the company of civilised beings. This language may be thought harsh, but we speak in the interest of morality and sobriety ; a single offence may be condoned, even a second might not warrant the employment of more than a mild rebuke, but when conduct like that recorded becomes habitual, ,no words can be too strong, no protests too pronounced. The honour of the colony is involved, the reputation of the people is at stake, and the first thought of many after reading the report of Thursday evening's scene must have been ' what will they say in England ?' We repeat that this is no political or party question, but one that concerns all who value an unblemished name for sobriety and order. It is a matter for our clergymen to consider, for our teetotallers, who boast of their increasing influence, to agitate. If these are in earnest in their desire to regenerate the community from the ruling vice, let them demand the resignation or expulsion from Parliament of the offender. Let the total abstainers of this town, of Talbot, Creswick, and Daylesford take immediate action in the matter, so as to purge Parliament of a standing disgrace, and vindicate the character of the constituency."