PHŒNIX LODGE, I.O.G.T.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2910, 29 May 1888, Page 2

PHŒNIX LODGE, 1.0. G.T.

An open meeting was held in the Temperance Hall last evening in connection with the local Lodge of Good Templars. A substantial tea was provided, to which about one hundred and fifty sat down and did full justice. At 7.30 a paocession was formed and the principal streets were paraded, TlieSalvation Array Band headed the march, and torches on each side increased tho attraction, and notwithstanding the wet night crowds followed in their wake.

By the advertised time, eight o'clock, all the seating accommodation was taken up in the Hall. The platform was occupied by members of the Phoenix Lodge. Bro. R. Evernden, W.0.T., occupied the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks, explained the object of the meeting. He alluded to his own early experience, and stated

tliat it was just six years since he had given up the intoxicating cup, and he felt ten years younger for it. (Cheers,) He drew a strong picture of the temptations to which those who joined the temperance ticket were subjected to, and be appealed to those who were in the ranks to stick to their colors. As time was short, ho would not detain them further, but would at once call upon the Grst name on the programme

In response Miss Everndon rendered a very pretty song in a most pleasing manner,for which she received the hearty applause of the audience. Mr R. Temple accompanied her upon the piano, but the instrument was such a welched one that it tended considerably to mar the harmony, instead of assisting the singer. Miss Powell was called upon, and responded with a recitation entitled; " The Drunkard's Child,"

Bro. Holdaway, P.W.C.T., who was received with cheers, said their Lodge was well named the " Plicenix" as this was the second time it had risen' from its ashes and started afresh with renewed life. They were fighting under their old motto, "God and humanity," and were bound to succeed. He then went into statistics upon the drink expenditure, and made his remarks interesting by the earnestness which he displayed and the thorough knowledge he had of his subject. He drew their attention to the fact that on the following Wednesday they would be called upon to' give their vote upon the question of an increase of licenses or not. Ho urged them to vote against an increase of licenses for the reason that wherever an increase of licensed houses took place, drunkenness increased in proportion. He instanced Gisborne and Wanganui, with upwards of 20 public houses, and all doing a good trade, although there was stagnation in other businesses. He urged them to vote as one man against any further increase of licenses in Masterton. (Cheers.)

Mr S. H. Wickerson was the next called upon, and in response sang "The Southern Breeze," Again was the singing racked by the' superannuated pianoforte, The song, notwithstanding, was wjII rendered, and received the vociferous plaudits of the audience.

Master Willie Evernden next recited, in an able manner, "The Winter's Tale," He was followed by the Rev. Mr Rowse, who was received with cheers. He expressed the pleasure he felt in being invited to take an active part in the evening's programme, They might depend upon him at all times to help them in the temperance cause, (Hear, hear,) He dwelt upon the effect of alcohol upon the body and soul of man, " God made man upright but he has sought out many inventions," He instanced several cases of sudden and violent death through drink, His address throughout had a vein of humor that kept liis audience fully alert, and taking advantage of their marked attention, he took the opportunity to earnestly appeal to them to oppose the drink traffic. He was frequently cheered during his address. Mr Spooner was next called upon for a cornet solo " Home, Sweet Home," which he executed with precision and capability.

Mr C. Betty followed witha'temperancesong, for which he received an encore!

Mr George Evemden recited " On the Line," in which was depicted, with force and teeling, the career of n man who was" tnia to death," Bro. T. Collier, W.L.D., was called upon to address the meeting, He said he was not much of a speaker, but believed every temperance man ought to be ready to say a word when called upon. (Cheers.) He had benn 24 years a teetotaller. (Applause). He had always been an advocate for open meetings, He did not believe in closed floors. (Cheeis). They had plenty of talent and they ought to make use of it. (Hear, hear). He hoped some volunteers would come and help them and join the Good Templar Lodge. He sat down amidst cheeis.

The next event caused the greatest fun of the evening. A gentleman who was called upon for a song responded by attempting to sing "the midship mite." He was so astonished at the performance of the piano that he fairly broke down before he could get through the first verse, This set the house into roars of laughter. A second attempt resulted in no better success and the singer retired amidst yells of delight, He took the opportunity however, before leaving the platform of expressing his pleasure in having given them so much fun, although it had r.ot been a part of the programme, Mr J. Prentice followed with a song " The Vacant Chair," for which he received applause, Mr Prangnell next addressed the meeting, dwelling principally upon the forthcoming poll, and urging them to vote straight against any increase of licenses.

The next item oh the programme was a coiuio song entitled " Oh, when I was single, oh then! oh then!" which was rendered with such comicality as to call forth the repeated encores of the audience and the song had to be repeated, " Captain" Condon, of the Salvation Army, in an earnest, straightforward address, urged upon all present who ; had not already done so to givo up sin and drink. On the motion of Bro Aitken, W.S., a vote of thanks was accorded all those who had so kindly assisted in making the meeting such a success. This was replied to by the chairman in a few appropriate remarks, and the meeting was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem,