R&CHABITE JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7404, 12 August 1885, Page 6

R&CHABITE JUBILEE.

The jubilee of the Independent Order of Rechabitea was celebrated yesterday with great effect and Mat.

DISTRICT COUNCIL.

The District Council of the 1.0. R., B*lford Unity, met in the Excelsior Hall'at eight o'clock. Present:—District officers—Brother. T. Webb, IX C. R., C. Brown, P.D.C.fi. J G. Carr, District Secretary, and the follow", ing representatives : —Hope of Auckland' No. 1 Tent, Brothers J. B. Mell, F. Jenn«' R. French, H. Rotherham, E. Wariua a' C. Rigg ; Eden, No. 2 Tent, Brothers J* Jenkins, T. W. Gladding; Star Haurali* No. 3 Tent (Thames), Brothers J. Daabv Fletcher (proxy); Northern Star, No. 4 T en \" Brother G. Vause ; Northern Wairoa No 5 Tent, Brother M. Harding Mahuranul' No. 6 Tent, Brother T. G. Carr (proxv ' Gordon, No. 7 Tent, Brother ▲. Somervifu' Juvenile Tents : Standard, No. 3, Brother A. C. Biggs ; Southern Cross, Brother J Vause; Excelsior, Brother Gladding; N Zealand, No. 1 Brother J. Noader. 'After the formal opening reports from the various tents were read, all of which were highly satisfactory. The amalgamated reports show a membership of 453 adults, 120 juvenile*, and 17 hon. members. The total amount to the credit of the district is £4990. The deaths were reported for the past half-year and the duration of sickness was 22 hours per member. The Government proposals to amend the Friendly Sooieties Act were dig. cussed and approved. An excellent lunoh was next discussed, after which it wag resolved to send a congratulatory telegram to the Australasian Colonies. Votes of thanks to Mr. Jenne and the ladies who presided at the tables were carried by acclamation. BANQUET. A. banquet was held in the evening at the Foreuters' Hall, Karangahape-road, and there were present a large number of ladies and members, beside representative members from the Temperance and Friendly Sooietiea. About 250 sat down to the banquet, and were served at four long tables laid along the hall, two end tables and an additional table iaid on the stage. Mr. Philip Crowe wag caterer, and the banquet was under the supervision of Mr. Cassells, of Canning's restaurant. It is need lees to say that the spread was all that could be desired, and of the best quality, and although wines were absent, there was an ample otock of teetotal beverages, and all seemed to thoroughly appreciate the good things so liberally spread before them. Mr. J. JeuklnV P.D.C.R. of the Order, presided, and Mr. Webbe, District Chief Ruler, acted as ViceChairman. Displayed as a background to the stage was the magnificent banner of th» Star of Hauraki Tent, Thames.

The proceedings were commenced by all present joining in the hymn, "Each effort to redeem our race," after which the Chairman said that as they were all aware they were met that evening to celebrate the golden wedding of the Rechabite Order. They had now been for 50 years breaking dowD the drinking custom*, not only of society at large, but of the Friendly Societies. Their next innovation was to have their celebration with a banquet, at which their wives and sweethearts could be present, thus breaking through the barbarous custom which prevailed, by which the men alone enjoyed all the good things, leaving their wives and sweethearts at home. The next innovation was, that they were to propose the health of the Queen without injuring their own health, and he had now great pleasure in proposing the health of the Queen and Royal family.

The audience rose and sang the National Anthem.

The Chairman then proposed the toast of the "Governor and Members of Parliament." They were all aware how hard members of Parliament worked for the sakv of their country. (Laughter.) If any members of Parliament were present he would ask them to reply on behalf of that august body, (A laugh.)

Mr. Wkbie, 8.0.R,, proposed the toast of "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." He was sure, if they were not working hard now, their Volunteers]would do so if required; and when the lives of the people were In danger, when their country called on them, or even when Great Britain required aid in the distant Soudan, they were willing to go and render assistance. (Cheers.) Lieutenant Connolly (Hobson Company) responded to the toast.

The Vice Chairman then proposed the toast of " The Mayor and Councillors." He was himself out of the scene of strife, but he had read of their proceedings, and he fancied they worked hard, at least with their tongues. However, he had great pleasure in proposing their health.

Councillor Garratt said he would follow the example set by the proposer in making a brief speech, and simply thank them for the manner in which they had received the toast. The health of the councillors required drink* ing under existing circumstances.

Mr. E. J. Carr said it devolved upon him to propose a very important toast, the most important toast which would be brought before them, and one which appealed most really to their sympathies. It was "The Independent Order of Rechabites and other Temperance and Kindred Societies." He was not a Rechabite, although he had been one, and could recognise the faces of many present who bad been associated with him in establishing the first tent in Auckland. They were faithful to the Order, but although he had ceased to be a member he was no renegade to their principles. He tried to aid it, he approved of its principles and work and recognised that its qualities were to lay hold of those who required being laid hold of and keeping hold of them, and that it had done good service in the cause of temperance. Mr. Webbe came from a part of the country where this was recognised. The toast was that of *' The Rechabites and kindred societies," and this brought to his mind a family of beautiful daughters; but of the Rechabites he would say, in the words of Scripture, " She excelleth them all" There was one point with the Rechabites, that before a man can become a member he takes on himself certain responsibilities and liabilities. He must first put away from him the social snare by declaring himself an abstainer from intoxicating drinks, thus proving his manhood and virtue, and then they surrounded him by kindness and brotherly love, and maintained him in the right way. Mr. Johx Hoskings, who was introduced by the Chairman as the oldest member of the Rechabite order in Auckland, responded. He said it afforded him very great pleasure to respond to the toast, for he had been for many years connected with the order, and was probably the oldest member present, for he joined in 1841, and he was greatly pleased to see the success which had attended them especially during the last two years. Of late a great number had been added to their members, and he trusted they would still go on, and that young men who had not yet joined them, would do no. and enjoy the benefits to be derived from the society. He had great pleasure in responding to the toast.

Mr. Hill, G.W.C.T., responded for the Good Templar order, and Mr. Lye responded for the New Zealand Order. Mr. Gkoroe Plummkk responded for the Band of Hope Union, Mr. William Hogg for the Blue Ribbon Army, Mr. W. G. Connolly, D.G.M., for the L0.0.F., M.U., Mr. Gakratt, P.D.C.R., for the A.0.F., Mr. C. Little, P.P., for the Hibernian Society, and Mr. J. Flanagan, P.A.D., for the Druids.

The Chairman then proposed the toast of "The Medical Officers," and Mr. Jeune, in a characteristic speech, proposed the toast of "The Ladies," to which Mr. Morgan responded. Mr. Rotherham proposed " The Press," and representatives present acknowledged the compliment. At intervals several musical selection* were given. Miss Peace, to the air of "The Blind Girl to Her Harp," sang a temperance song, " The Drink, the Drink, the Curied Drink," and was unanimously applauded, indeed only escaped an encore by the intervention of the Chairman, who stated encores were not allowed. Mr. King aa*g Will o !,he Wisp "and Mr. Shacbleton "The Sabbath Chimes." _ The Chairman then read an interesting paper on the history of the Order of Recha« bites. t . A public meeting will be held this evening in the Foresters' Hall in connection with the jubilee, at which His Worship the Mayor o Auckland will preside, and a choice selection of songs will be given, In addition to whto Professor Tucker and Mr, E. C. Carr will deliver addresses. Admission will be free.