ORANGE SOIREE AT THE CHORAL HALL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5578, 13 July 1875, Page 2

ORANGE SOIREE AT THE CHORAL HALL.

Ax entertainment was given at the above hall last night, under thb auspices of the Loyal Orange Institution of Auckland. The proceedings commenced with a tea, which was laid on the table at half -past six o'clock. There being a greater number present than had been expected, they were divided into three parties, who took their seats at the tables successively. The provision* were supplied by Mr. Hale, of Parnell, and as far as they went were excellent ; but as there were twice as many guests as had been provided for, those coming last fared worst, whereat some expressed dissatisfaction. When all had left the tables, they assembled in the body of the hall, which was nearly filled. Mr. J. M. Dargaville, M.P.C,, took the chair. The band having played an overture. The Chairman rose to address the meeting, and was received with loud cheers. He said it was proverbial that the feelings of Englishmen were in a better state after dinner than before. (Laughter.) If so with the Engliaman, it mustaecessarily be so with Irish and Scottish, many of which nationalities he was* glad to lee before him. He was led to make those remarks so as to explain that but 300 or 400 guests had been expected, and provided lor, whereas 600 or 700 had done them the honour to come. Consequently a large proportion must have gone without tea, and their feelings would not be in *o propitious a state as those of their more fortunate brethren. It was quite unnecessary for him to remind them of the anniversary which had brought them together. Everyone must know that it was to commemorate the day dear to all Orangemen, and, indeed, to all Protestants, " The glorious 12th of July. " It had been remembered— that day— all over the world. They were there to show their appreciation of the benefits, the liberty, the privileges for which their ancestors had fonght with a heroism unsurpassed in the world's history. He would not extesd hi* remarks, as, besides the music with which they were to be favored, there were several speakers more able than himself to address the meeting. He would therefore conclude by asking the Rev. Dr. Maunsell to succeed him. . The Rev. Dr. Maukseix began his remarks by expressing commiseration for those who had gone tea-less, but he hoped they would accept the explanation which their chairman had tendered. He congratulated them upon making so -imposing a demonstration on that occasion. Orangemen would always be necessary as long as their great foe existed, and he, therefore, advised them to keep well-organised, and be always on the alert to meet it. They had butlately seen what the policy of Roman Catholics would be could they ever get the ascendant in the community. They most be careful not to allow Catholics to get more than their due share of force. The mind* of Catholic laymen were imprisoned in bigotry and intolerance, like^heir nuns, withm high walls. The laymen were mere cypher*— the rank and file in fact The priests were the officers, and the oommander-in-chief was the Pope himself. Having pawed some severe strictures upon Catholics and Catholicism, that speaker compared the anniversary they were- commemdrating to that kept by the Americans a few days ago. The latter celebrated the triumph of liberty, and Englishmen of to-day sympathised with them. They also celebrated the victory of freedom, and he would advise Catholics to be present among them, and take to heart the lesson. (Cheers.) Mr. Edwabd Lewis, the neit speaker, said that Dr. Maunsell had told them how Catholics were kept within high walls ; but they were sitting under a noble tree, the tree of liberty, a tree which bad been nourished •by the blood o! heroes. Catholicism being opposed to liberty and all its advantages, he would advise all who had half-a-crown to spare to send home for a copy of the " Syllabus." That would give them a far better insight of the aims and views of the head of the Catholic church than anything that he could say to them. They would scarcely believe him were he to tell them aome of the contents of the work he had mentioned. In it ourses were vented against all who presumed to oppose the principle* given therein. It contained anathemas, to all who upheld constitutional government^ education, and all the benefits of modern civilisation. In a wonl nothing could better demonstrate the necessity of their own and' kindred institutions than that volume,-*a volume filled with anathemas and curses Against the principles they cherished. TJMjpeaker related an anecdote he had lately. :Kad concerning the Inquisition, when'-*tl»t institution flourished in Spain. Several officers, having gained access to the building, were desirous to see whether all the horrors they had heard concerning it were true. They were at first doubtful, being able to see no evidence of the proverbial terrors of the Holy Office. Everything was apparently open and above-board ; the priests were Tenerable, kind-looking old men, with flowing beards, and altogether seemed quite the reverse of what they had supposed them to be. .But they were merely wolves in sheep's clothing. Noticing a peculiarity in the floor, the officers investigated, and in terrible dungeons deep in the bowels of the earth they found numbers of captives of all ages and of both sexes enduring all the ««eruigs of hunger and torture for the sake of their faith. He could assure his hearers that Eome would be as intolerant in the nineteenth century as it ever was in the Dark Ages if it had the power to be so. lhe Papacy required coitinual checks and incessant watching to keep it within bounds, and prevent it resuming its policy of aggression, and this showed the indispensabihtj^f their institution. After the speakers had concluded a TOng and well-selected programme of vocal and instrumental music was given. The band officiating was that of the Artillery, conducted by Band-master Hunter. The whole of the pieces were well received, several performers receiving an encore. Particular approbation was expressed at the performances of the youthful Misses Annie and Jessie Hayles, on the pianoforte. The programme being ended, the entertainment, which, with the exception of the drawback before mentioned, was excellently earned out, was brought to a close, and the audience separated to the strains of uod save the Queen.'