HONORING MR A. S. ADAMS A HANDSOME PRESENTATION

Evening Star, Issue 12027, 27 October 1903, Page 7

HONORING MR A. S. ADAMS

A HANDSOME PRESENTATION

Under the auspices of the Council of Churches and U.T.R.C, a public meeting was held in tl\e Choral Hall last evening, when Mr A. 8. Adams was presented with tokens of appreciation for the services rendered by him to the No-license cans*?. The gathering was a large and representative one. Mr J. W. Jago presided, and seats on the platform were occupied by the Revs. W. A. Sinclair, D. Borne, R. R. M. Sutherland, P. W. Fairckragh. T. 0. Brooke. .1. Guy, J. Ward, J. T. Hmron, and W. Hay, Mr D. C. Cameron. Mr I. Graham, Mr H. H. Driver, and others. The. Chairman, in his introductory remarks, said that as most of them "were aware lie was present as a poor substitute for His Worship the Mayor,, who had intended to do himself the honor of doing them the honor of presiding at the meeting", but a call from what might be considered a matter of more general interest had taken him elsewhere. His Worships sympathies, however, ware no doubt entirely with them. and he was joining them in other ways although he was not with than. Never during the course- of his (the chairman's) experienco had lie ever taken the eiiair at a meeting the purpose of which he was nere thoroughly aud more entirely in sympathy with than the gathering that night,—(Applause.) Fortunately, they were all aware of the purpose for which they hod met. and ho would not dwell upon *ihat. There were few men—he did not know if there was another man in the City—for whom he entertained more kindly feelings' than he did; lor Mr Adams. There wn.s no man whom lie held in higher esteem nor one who had been to lum so much a friend and a brother as had Mr A v S. Adams.—(Apphiu.se) He had been trying to recall during the last day or two' how long hehad known Mr Adams,- when arid where. and on what occasion lie first mot him and made his acquaintance. Bur he could not. recall that eventful hour; it j-ccmed to lii.ni us if lie had known Mr Adam--: ?'! the time. Kvev since !«? bad known -him. whenever that eventful occasion occurred, be had been on the most intimate, th,- m<y--i friendly, and most- cordial terms with him. He had been a tn:e friend, a wise, i-onns-el". and a gentleman with whom he. (the speaker) had always been a-so.-l.vrd en ib.. most cordial aud affectionate term*. And he might- say that while Mr Allans had stood in that relation to him he (ib-3 ehairnum) had endeavored to recinv-ooa-k' all i heconfidence, all the friendship, and all the rcsi>ect with whicli he had reenrr'-d him. They had lieen together almost ~,s intimately as biotkers. " Mr Adams l>,-;d be.'it more a brother than a friend, and lie congratulated him that eveniu- on the esteem and the worth in which he "was hold. |!,, would not say anything in regard to Mr Adams's work for the' temrvram.-!- movement. He had b&cn known, to assist with hand. bean, and voice in every work in the City of Ibinedin. From the platform, thronirh the Press, and from the pulpit he had lent- his best endeavors to promote tlie well-being of the community of which he was a citizen, and to assist in the uplifting of the mass of the people, physically, morally, socially. intellectually, and financially, if there was a man in the City who deserved| well of his country it wn.s their esteemed friend and brother,"'Mr A. S. Adams.--.Applause..) lie (the chairman) knew that Air .Adams was a iitodf»--t man. and that he did not desire, him to proceed much further on flics" lii>ej=. Tirv.ould therefore ask tiie secretary ro read letters of npology and congratulations whicli he had! received from friends a!! ove" the eou.nt.rv.

! he Rev. Mr Heighway reed ;t krge number of apologies fnr absence and eongranilatious from the following :-~'ih e Mavor, the Revs. W. Hewitson. Dr WndiVU 'vv' Seorgie. I!. V-lackh. P. U. I'nisvr. i.nd Messrs ]•.. Ro«-vear. W. Hntidii-oi:, Jah-.-j; Alloft (president Gore- Proh: hi fieri League). J. M". Garr. —. Webb (seeret--i.n- VMrnf Kden No-licenye League). '<Veslev (Auckland). H. H. Plicey (s.- ; retary Am:-k----land No-hci'n.se Victor,-" l\md). —. Poole (Xewi-flwn Prohibition hen'zv.c). (..'. 11. Garland. I-:. French, and K. Cooper 1 Auckland P.and of Hope Union). A. a.nd W. Atkinson (Wellington,. Rev. W. R,. 3 dy (Auckland), and Major Gumming <Oama.ru}. Some of the letters and teieanuns wre coucherPin iiu/st eulogist,ic terms—one of them referrm" to Adams as •• Onr Lradant Chnstian s<-.-ldier, J " while another said " Long live our temperance king."

Tbe Ckurrn;wi said that they had Jiojhml that Dr Be Laulour would have been present to make tbe presentation to Mr Ad.-uno, but unfortunately lie had been called away'. The llf-v. Y\. Sinclair, bcfw?ver, had trridfirtaken the duty which way: to havp fallen upon Dr T)e Liutonr, The Pvc.t. Mr Sinclair .--aid that ho extremely appreciated tbe fact tlxat- Mr J;yo w;ts iu the chair, for be was one who had borne the hea* arid burner! of the d y. For many years Mr Jago had honorably worn the mantle of the leader of tbe Temperance party, but now it had descended upon the shoulders of a yonn::er man—Mr Adam? ,-uid he nrnr their Elishi H« (1 he speaker) had been closely wit.h Mr Adams for four or five years, and that Mr Adams had freely* grvun his time, his talents, and his money to adv.-uice the Temperance cause. His frieTxis were present that night to show that thoy knew how 10 appreciate worth «nd goodness. Ho (Mr Sinclair) believed one of God's greatest gifts to a community was a good "man.— (Applause.) Good men were not verv plentiful, and they- should treasure them when they rrot them. Good and worthy men were needed—men with moral backbone, men w.rb iron in their blood, with an enthusiasm for humanity, and the love of God in their hearts.—fApplause.) The other side had money, but. the Temperance partv co;i!d show something tetter than that—they hid men. livery great moral reform produced great men. and the work of temperance reform had produced great men. Bv-and-byo they would be better able to appreciate how great indeed were the men. who were leading the temperance movement. They had been abused and criticised by men who were not nt to black their booti He also believed that throughout Otago the present eminently satisfactory and healthful condition of tho temperance movement was largely due to wise management and judicious leadership. Mr Adams was a leader who had the caution and the sagacity of a Scotchman, the dogged determination" of rm Englishman, the enthusiasm of an Irishmm. and at the sa>me time w-as as modest and ashumble as a colonial—(Laughter.) He had been the watchdog of the TempT-auee party ; he had closely scanned the columns of the Press, and when he found statements and articles needing criticism he had not hesitated to criticise them. He had kept hiy eye on the legislative proposals of the Government, and had ruthlessly criticised and 'fearlessly exposed them. It reemed to him that daring tho last few weeks Mr Adams must have slept with ona eye open, and with that eye fi;red all the time on. Wellington waiting for the Licensing Bill to come down. Experience had taught the Temperance party that they could not expect any good things to come from the existing Parliament. Thus it came about that the Temperance party were locking forward to another battle. Proposals had btca brought down •which were retrograde, and the people's liberties were again threatened. The Temperance war cry must again be heard in the land, and their forces gathered together to oppose the present proposals of the Government. They must tight until the Prohibition Hag waved over this colony from the North Cape to the South.—(Applause.) The speaker then called upou the itov. Mr Heighway to read tho illuminated address, which was as follows: To Ales. S. Adams, Esq. (president of the New Zealand Temperance Alliance, president of tho Dunedm Council of Christian Churches). _ Dear sir,—For many years you have been in the van of the Temperance armv. Before any electorate in New Zealand had carried No-license you were recognised as a champion. You have not grown weary in wcllftcmg, but have continued to grow more p.Mmdnnt in labor to the present liour. Your contribution* to temperance literature, and to tbe discussion of liquor legislation and jrrtorm .in the. .council and com-

niiti ee, in deliberative assemblies and iu public meetings have not. only been incessant, but. bave. been regarded by the great party that you voice as of the very first importance. You have ungrudgingly devoted much time to the administration of various temperance organisations. You have travelled far and wide to advocate our cans© on the public platform, where your luminous and cogent reasoniug bis never failed to tell. Above all, you have madfc the liquor laws of the colony your especial study, and have won for yourself in that department an undisputed pre-eminence. These laws are recognised as bein? highly complicated, and unsatisfactory, and abounding in pitfalls. Had it not been for your professional acumen and perspicuity the Temperance party would havo suCered discouragements and reverses which it has happily escaped'. In the present, year your gifte have been in constat demand. Yon have appeared in the Magistrate's Court, in the Supremo Court, and in the Court of Appeal, and in each hare signally distinguished yourself by conducting iniri--:ito temperance causes to a successful iss-a;. Your numerous fellow-workers, friends, and admirers throughout Otago and Southland therefore feel that they cannot let this year of grace pass without a public recognition of your prolonged and invaluable services. In this they are sure that they have the sympathy and anproval of the Temperance party from end'to end of New Zealand.

They therefore request you to accept, this address, and the purse which acconroanies it, as an expression of the high esteem in which you are personallv held, and of the hearty appreciation that "is felt for vour unwearied services to a noblo on behalf of the subscribers: W. A. Sinclair (ex-president of the Council of Churches), £■ Hc, ?hwny (secretary): D. C. Camerou 'C.T 1.0. G.T.), D. Cameron (secrelar-;); B. E. IV Lantern- (president United Temperance Reform Cormclß. Jas. Abemethy (secretary).

_ Mr tSuith'ir then formally prerentH Mr Adams with the address. and banded him a purse of sovereigns, saying that his friends eiesired him to use the consents in purchasing something which world lemind' him- of Ins .tss-x-infion with the temperance movement in Now Zealand.—(Loud applause.) 'lite address was a handsome piece of work, and arrnr-ted a , jnof \ ( ] ea i nf ;,<tention.

The Rev. Mr Saunders also paid a, him tribute to Mr- Adams's efforts m the cause of temperance, and said that it would be a grave, oversight to forget. Mrs Adams, to -.vhom they were greatly indebted. Referring to the Lieensimr Bill, the speaker characterised it as surprisingly skilful in its iniquity nnd clever in its proposals to make against rigbteousiies.

Mr F. It rah am tbouvht tiiatii was a "nod thing to_ have men like Mr Adrrns c.omnig t . the flout. There never was a time in il:..;!- hi.u-uy when clee.r beads were more v-antevi or when calm judgment was rowe required th::n now. iiir- Covernment sought to take away from the jieojile the power tlwy now possessed, but if they attempted it. wliether they were Tories or Lo>ef:ds. ;hcy wuuld be relegated to the past, and men wlk> could be trusted woulrl. replace them. No man was more feared at the present time by Richard Seddou than their nitad Mr Adaim?.—(Applsuse.) Mr D. C. Quncrnn also sj.oke a few

At ike rcqucsr- of the Chairman, the Rev. Mr Heighwity raw! a congratulatory message- from the Clut.ha, the disrriet which (the Chainran reruttrked) had become verynotorious, and made its mark mi the liistorv of New Zeaia-ntl.

Mr Adsms (who w-a? received by the audience rising and giving three cheers for himself and one- lor said that it would be impossible for him to sav what he would like to say. He could not rind words to adequately express his feelings at that moment. He thanked the chairman riot profoundly for all the kind and generous and appreciative things he had said of him. and went on to stiy that from -the lime iie first began to tak- an interest in temperance- matte is he had looked on .Mr dago as the foremost leader in the party, l-io desired to pay a. tribute of rcs[-ect "to Mr dago's emmeiir services in connection

with temperance reform. It wup the work it such men as Mr Ja go {hut had made the work of su-ii men as himself (the speaker) so c.i>y. At one time he (Mr Adams) hail i-i-en complaely ciscnuraged in his ajtempts lo express himself to an audience and at yiieseut h:s ideas in .-..n acceptable form. One eL-ht. bev.-e-er, he listened to Mr Jago. and iiott'd his power to move ;-n auilicnee, and he came to tiie conclusion thai if a. man took the trouble ro underst-in.,l the message lie s-ought to deliver, and if he had an oriinary veeabul.-iry. he would never fa.il to command tie- attention of the ]K.opk; be wished to address. He questioned very much whether there was a man in the Australasian eolor.ies to-day who was the equal to .Mr Jago in that ivs[>ect. An oaiasion like the ptotit. to humble one. Tlicse good pec-pie who were so kind and appreciative kid had a microscope., so to speak, upon his career, ;uid had magnified every little servtco he had ]>erformcni They had rexm all that he had done, because it had fallen to him to be dragged to the front where notoriety was to te found. 'Uhcy knew all' about, what had been dune, but if ho told these, good people all that had been shirked all that he had failed 1.0 do—he feared very much that the esteem in which they raid he was held by them would bo disiiuctiy lowered.—tCries- of "No.") There were many of them present that night who would see their victory proclaimed. Their vote was a progi-eissive vote. It. never went "hack. The ]>eopie of New Zealand, 151,000 strong, had solemnly afSi-med by vote at the Iwllot box that the liquor trauic must go. and go it would.—(Applause.) The present time was a crisis. Every day brought its crisis hi the lives of the" individual and in the liv'fs of the people. But just now it seemed to him that- were in the of the gnsitest crisis that had come to the temperance for. at any rate, eight- years. Now. at. lest, when the trade was threatened at the very threshold of dour, and when the people had riseu in their might to destroy it, they found tiro Premier prepareti to ti-ing in hisBill and push it; through Parliament in the living hours of ».n exhausted Parliament. Re was prepareii to use his majority—if he dared.—(Hear, hear.) lie took that opportunity of saying that the Bid which Mr Scddon. had inivo'.iuv.eil was one of the mcx?t iniquitous iiie-asiiref r>vcr iiitrivlnci-.! into a ft-ai ParlVimenf. in a frci> countrv in connection wifl: the liqottr laws.—(Applause.) Tt- was characterised by fraud, eimning. and deceit. It. was not an honorable Bill, and it did n-rt m-ean in nntiy particulars what it appeared to say on the face of it. Unless the people were yen- clear-sighted thsy wocid find themselves defrauded of their rights without kuovring it until they wished to exercise them. Within the next few weeks it would be made apparent to the Premier that ho was the Premier of a free people, and that ti«y would allow no man to override the clear and expressed wish and intention of the people, even although lie be Premier of the colony and be called Richard John Soddon.—(Applause.) In conclusion, Mr Adams again thanked hb? friends for their kindness towards liim. The Chairman said that there was one gentleman whose name they had omitted from the proceedings of the meeting. Ke referred to ilr J. A. I). Adams, who was a member of the firm of which Mr A. S. Adams was a partner. But for the cardial sympathy and earnest support and assistance given by Mr J. A. D. Adams, his brother Alick would never have been able to carry out the work which he- had so successfully performed.—{Applause.) During the evening reiieshmeuts, propied by the W.C.T.D., were handed round by the ladies. Several musical given,, the singers being M.r Macfarlasne, Miss Dorothy Macfarlane. and Mrs James Dryden. A vote of thanks was passed to the perfornfers and others who had assisted, and after the Rev. Mr Hay had prouotmced a benediction the gp.tiieaing dispersed.

The Loudon correspondent of the "Manchester Daily Despatch' says he .has reason to know that certain high-spirited, well-to-do Englishmen are proceeding to Japan for the purpose of offering their services to the Enrperor in the event of hostilities breaking out with Russia. The Englishmen who are now on their way to Japan are confident that hostilities will break out in the spring and it is believed (adds the correspondent) that so great will be the Japanese resentment, if she is left to tackle Russia singlehanded, that the position of foreigners' hi Japan will be almost as hazardous as in ,critical times A