MEETING AT WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2394, 18 January 1900, Page 72

MEETING AT WAIKOUAITI.

A mass meeting was held at Waikouaiti pn Monday evening in the Public Hall in aid of the patriotic fund. The building was well filled, the back part being tightly packed With men. After an overture by Mrs F. fearper and Miss Duff, " The signal march," His "Worship the Mayor, who presided, read letters and telegrams of apology (enclosing cheques) from Messrs E. G. Allen, M.H.R., Robert Mill (ex-mayor), H. Buckland, and others. He briefly explained the object of the meeting, and then called on Mr F. R. Chapman (of Dunedin), who in nis remarks eaid he did not admit that the Bafety of the Empire was at stake, but still \vould like to point out the grave danger of 'disunion amongst us. Disunion meant defeat; defeat, loss of prestige, which might in the long run mean the loss of our Indian JSmpire. When in France, 30 years ago, he saw a people conquered, not so much by a foreign, army as by disunion amongst themselves — the leaders quarrelling whilst an fenemy thundered at the Very gates of Paris. JHe then Bpoke of what Waikouaiti had been and done in the past, and stated hie convictio'a that bo she would in the future be still true to herself. .Mr James Allen, M.H.R. for Brace, who .was the next speaker, hoped we should all Bink our own opinions for the oommon good. This was not the time to inquire the cause of the war ; that time was past. What we had to do was to pull well together. He instanced Milton, where the Wesleyan minister and the Roman Catholic priest each helped to gather the collection. He asked them to support this ca,uge, not because, vt' W fear £04- the

Empire, but because of faith in that Empire. The British people did away with slavery, not for hope of reward, but because of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. In appealing for funds, he cautioned them against excessive pride. He hoped the time would soon come when the colonial troops would be always found side by side with the Imperial forces. Oolour-sergeant Orbell {Otago Hussars) briefly outlined the history of the Waikouaiti troop, under Captain (now Major) Robin, and stated that those of the New Zealanders in Africa who came from Waikouaiti — born and bred here — were as good as any men in the island. He also intimated that the shearers at Mount Watkin shed had 'given that morning's work to the fund, .a sum of £7 being the result. He trusted that Waikouaiti would be as generous with money as she had been with men. The Rev. J. Christie addressed the meeting, reminding them that the mission of humanity was peace with hoiv r, but war if unavoidable. He hoped all would give liberally, and said that England knew that that day every man would do his duty. The Rev. B. Vanes thanked God he was permitted to be present. A bitter cry had been raised, and that cry must be — yea, was — answered. During the evening songs were sung by Mrs Kerr, " Old England for ever will weather the storm " ; Miss Duff, " The gay hussar " ; Mr P.- E. Wilson, " Soldiers of the Queen " ; and Mr Frank H. Wise, "Rule Britannia." Mrs Kerf also played the " Red, White, and Blue " as a piano solo. Mr Burfon recited " Tommy Atkins " and " Obedience is B^st," and Mr Chapman read "The Absent-minded Beggar." Collections were made during the evening, some of the items being: Cheques from Waikouaiti Racing Club, £5 ss; Waikouaiti Tennis Club, £1 Is; Waikouaiti Rifle Club, £2 2s; Hawksbury Tennis Club, £2 2s; etc. The total reached slightly over £90. Votes of thanks and the singing of the National Anthem closed (with cheers) the most famous meeting ever held here. I may say that all the speakers were frequently interrupted by vehement ehesrs.