A Temperance Tree and Easy.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2940, 3 July 1888, Page 2

A Temperance Tree and Easy.

Last night was the second occasion ! this. season on which the Good I Templars havo held an open meeting and, as before, the Temperance Hall | was taxed to its utmost capacity to find sitting room for the audience. On. the platform wero seated some twenty , members of the Phoenix Lodge in gorgeous regalia of purple, scarlet, and ! gold, the Worthy Chief Templar, Bro H. Evernden, presiding. The chairman briefly but pointedly explained to the audience that the object of the meeting was to stir up a greater interest in the temperance cause, and he was of opinion that open meetings to which a free invi'e was given to all was a step in the right direction. He considered an evening in a social gathering of the kind they had that night was not time wasted, he hoped it would be a means of adding to the membership of their Lodge and strengthening their bands. They wanted good speakers to comeforward and boldly advocate theircause. He would not detain them futtlisr with his remarks, but would proceed with the programme. Hiss Evernden sang " Take hack the heart thou gavest" in a manner that the audience showed their appreciation of by repeated hand clappings. Mr R. Temple accompanied the sinwr on the piano. Bro. T. Collier who claimed to have never had a day's schooling, delivered a short and sharp' address on temperance. He had been for 25 years a Good Templar, and flattered himsell ho did not look the "washed out dish-clout" teetotallers were represented to be. He was glad tc see such an audience there, and so many pleasant young ladies (cheers.) He hoped they would join their order, and then the young men would soon flock in (Laughter.) He referred to what was being done for the Temper-: ance cause by the ladies of America, and advised the fair sex of Masterton to follow suit. Mr R. Temple, dressed in full character, sang that comic song, " A special chap's the Bobby." He was accompauied on the piano by Miss B, Perry, Miss Power, a young lady of some eight summers, recited in a clear and expressive voice " The Captains' Child." Although thepiece was a long one the little elocutionist was word-perfect. Miss Jessie Polling sang "The Gates of the West," and secured an encore. Master George Evernden recited "The Sailor's Yarn" < aud Mr T. Rowse sang " Jack's come ; home again." Bro. Prior Gilbert, evidently a great favorite with the i audience, judging by the manner i of his reception, • expressed the i pride he felt in being numbered in the i ranks of Temperance. He remem- 1 bered when it was not always so, and 1 from experience could feel for those '. still held in bondage. He had been '. down as low as it was possible to. get; ] but he felt proud that night to be able | tosay.tbat he was ono of the arie- (

■tocracy of Mas Cheers.) ; Befernug to a remark by. the Chairman that a 'man in his cupshad '-Juttf: : liis' clothes ;: stoleujl'tk speaker said}there had -beerfKno fear, of■■■ Anyone""steahng;';his .clothes, at. the time he was drinldng-as they never ,were worth it, but all that to past.. (Cheers).',.::' '.<; '§%;-, Mfss Alice Corbbtt played on,the violiu ■■" What ; ore the -Wild - Waves Saying," being accompanied orpine piano by her little sister Constance. Ju response to an encore,"' Boniiie Dundee" was'rendered. y/ : S: 's>*>'.■■.. Mr R. Temple's song r ." Country Home," brought th\:;programme to a close. '■' A vote of thauks was accorded the ladies and gentlemen: who had contributed to the pleasure of thoevohuig. . ' fe ; '..