BAND OF ROPE UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6095, 31 May 1881, Page 6

BAND OF ROPE UNION.

What was intended to have been an inaugural meeting of the combination of the various Bands of Hope of the Auckland district into a Union, was held last evening at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, but it hardly met expectations, for although there was a good attendance of Band of Hope workers, there was a paucity of adult attendants, and the meeting unexpectedly was largely made up of children. The hall was, however, well filled, and the addresses had to be fitted to the circumstances. A lengthy programme of addresses, songs, and recitations had been prepared, and the latter, with a few inevitable omissions, was faithfully carried out. All the addresses on the programme were delivered. Mr. T. Buddie occupied the chair, and the proceedings were opened with singing and prayer. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said he hardly expected the meeting would consist so largely of the rising generation. It was not his intention to speak at length. He was in the chair as a pressed man, but the movement had his S3 r mpathy, as had any movement which had for its objact to spread the cause of temperance, and to put down intemperance. He had intended to have read some extracts from the Times, but as he had a report to read he would leave that to others. The report was as follows : — The first annual meeting of the present Auckland Band of Hope Union is held this evening in compliance with the resolution passed at the inaugural meeting on Friday, March 4, when, owing to the paucity of attendance, it was deemed prudent to elect oflicers for three months only, at the end of which time the first annual meeting should be held. Necessarily, the report is brief, the operations of the past three months being somewhat limited, owing to want of fnnds. However, the Union has not been idle- 120 copies of circular (A) attached lias been issued to Sundayschools, some good results following, and much more is expected. It is estimated there are now eighteen, Bunds of Hope in the Auckland province, but the membersliip is not yet ascertainable. Five have joined the Union, and it is confidently hoped that when the nature of the Union is thoroughly understood every socioty will bo aflUiated. In some cases it is the acknowledged want of proper management only which is the c.iuse of inattention to circular (B) attached. The Union has. thanks to the exertions of Mr. Joseph Newman, sent home a sum of money for literature for distribution, and the other operations of the Union will bo further extended. The Speakers' i"lan Committee is at work, and steps have been taken to organise a competition for prizes. A service of soDg is in preparation, to bo given by members of the various Bauds of Hope, and it is believed that by such means a connectiveness and friendly relationship will be brought about which will prove of mutual benetit to all, and help the progress of the work amongst the young. The early formation of senior socieiies is desirable, and will receive the attention of the councii. Mr. Buddle then proceeded to advocate the coffee palace which was being inaugurated, as a means to counteract the influence of gin palaces aud public houses. The Rev. Mr. Ebger, after alluding to the difference in the audience to what he expected, said ho had lost faith ill popular excitements. They did no good, cither popular excitements fortemperanccj politics, or religion. They just passed over like the breath of the morning, and left the day more dead. He pointed out that in these days of fast living, paticnce was necessary, especially in dealing with children. The coffee palace was intended to try to cure an already existing evil, but the Band of Hope was trying to prevent it. He then proceeded to point out the great advantage of inculcating temperance habits and principles on the young. Mr. G. Hemu.s expressed his deep interest in the Band of Hope movement. He regretted that the Town Hall was not built, so that they might have a mass meeting there, for never was there a meeting to which greater importance attached than to the inaugural meeting of the Band of Hope Union. Ho lived in hopes that they would see the Town Hall built, and that they would have one night a year there with a packed meeting of the Band of Hope Union, lie then referred to the important influence of Band of Hope work in the cause of temperance, and dwelt on the danger of accustoming children to drinking habits. The Rev. Mr. I.siTr, after expressing surprise at seeing so many children and so comparatively few adults prsccnt, said liehad come expected to hear a plan of operations for the year. Ho pointed out tlic importance of having an organised plan. He said that an organised meeting of advocates of temperance was required to give tone to the effort, and this could be held in the Choral Hall without waiting for the erection of the Town Hall. During the evening a number of musical selections were given. Miss Goodacre at the openiug gave a piano selection, " The Waterfall, in good taste, and played the accompaniments for all the singers very tastefully. The principal songs were "At the Ferry " (by Miss Dobson), " Eileen Alannah" (by ill-. Littlewood), " The Vagabond" (by Mr. King), "Good-bye, Old Home" (by Miss Lawrence), and " Forging the Anchor" (by Mr. Goodison). The usual votes of thanks were accorded, and the meeting closed with prayer.