BAND OF HOPE CONTESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 266, 10 November 1888, Page 3

BAND OF HOPE CONTESTS.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

The ceremony of presenting prizes to tbG successful competitors at the recent Band of Hope competitions took place last uigh^ in St. James's Hall, Wellington-street. The building was crowded, the prize winners and choirs boingaccommodated with seats on the orchestral benches. The chair was occupied by Sir GcorgeGrey who on rising was received with applause. He said: Ladies and gentlemen, —I have been asked to preside over this meeting and you will perhaps hardly believe it, that, old as I am, and the many meebing-s which I have presided over, this is the first time I have ever presided over a Band of Hope. Well, ib is never too late to do a good thing (applause) and it ia from no want of interosb in the establishment of helps to temperance that I have uot presided over sufth meetings, for during the whole of my life I have always endeavoured, in many ways, to promote the cause of temperance. (Applause.) I have never yet myself tasted spirts (applause), and have also done my utmost to encourage others to refrain from the use of such intoxicating liquor*. I havo found that under circumstancesof the greatest privation | intoxicating liquors are unnecessary for maintaining life (applause) ; that men who I have had under my command have borne the effects of privations of the mosb extraordinary kind in a surprising manner, and those men havo never taken intoxicating liquors under such circumstances. Their conduct was good, and it was quite clear that spirits were not required to enable men to bear privations. That is now so established in the British Navy that whereas formerly seamen were made to take. a certain quantity of spirits, each day to keep them in a perfect stato of health, the men are not required to drink as thoy werebefore. I have during my life found that certainly intoxicating liquors were fche cause of mobt of the evil in the world. Now the habit of getting intoxicated, has almost departed from society of the higher class, and is generally dying out in the world, and I hops such will soon be the case. (Applause.) It such a state as that is desirable you cannob begin too early to train children to look upon intoxicating drinks as something that they should carefully avoid. (Applause.) Therefore they were under a debt of gratitude to those who tried to train up children n» s,uch a manner. I have said this much in explanation of why I am here to-night, and having expressed the pleasure J feel in assisting you I will now delay you no longer, but ask your secretary to proceed with- the business ot the evening. (Applause.) The following programme was then gone through with acceptance :-Song, «• Where fr Ue**t ni, Miss Alice Edmonds; recitation, ."Jack and his Hard Lump," Master J. E. Maodermotb; violin solo, Master Walton ; competitive temperance address (ten minutes), Mr Pegler; pianoforte solo, *' Lucrezia Borgia," Miss F. Gilmer; chorus, "Harold Glynde," St. Tnomas' choir; song, Miss Davis; recitation, "Mrs Uirnpins on Reform," Miss Alice Parkinson; bridal chorus, from " Harry Gray,' Christian Standard choir ; song, "Tha Bugler, Mr Holloway; violin solo, Miss wardlp; pianoforte quartette by four of fche winners of Mr W-. H. Webbo'fl prize. _ The chairman then handed the prizes to the successful competitors whose names have been previously published. The Secretary, Mr W. J. McDermotb, moved a cordial vote of thanks to the judges at the eeries.;of competitions, which was carried unanimously. He then moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir George Grey which was adopted by the audience with prolonged applause. - <v The Chairman briefly responded, after which those present sang IhQ Anthem aad tho mooting dosed*