BAND OF HOPE GATHERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13768, 5 June 1908, Page 6

BAND OF HOPE GATHERING.

ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR

Thk last of the annual gatherings in connection with ihe Auckland Band of Hope Union took place in the Royal Albert Hall last evenii'i ; .-. ,\ hen His Excellency the Governor (-boui Piunket) presided over a large attendance. . Wis Excellency was accompanied by Lady L'iunket, the Hon. Kathleen Pluuket, and Captain ■ Hon. N. CSatliornc-Haiuy, A.D.C.

The Governor, who was received, with applause, said it might be said by some people that his reason for being present was because previous Governors had. attended .such functions, but that did not affect him. He had accepted this invitation most gladly, because lie knew of the work which the Band of Hope societies were doing at Home, in Ireland (his own country), and other places, and the splendid results which they had obtained in their teachings on temperance. (Applause.)

His Excellency then went on to speak specially to the children, and referred to his two years and a-half stay in Turkey. There appeared to be a general impression, he said, that the Turk was a worthless individual, but such was not the case, as there were as fine men and women to be met with in Turkey as anywhere. These people followed their religion closely, and one of the firet points of their doctrine was "absolute temperance," and this they carried out to the letter, and by so doing were regarded as performing their duty to their country. He urged the children present to do their duty to their country by practising temperance. (Applause.)

During the evening a musical programme was gone through, and an address was given by the Rev. Simpson, pastor of Knox Church, Parnell.