Meeting at Pleasant Point.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3537, 20 January 1900, Page 4

Meeting at Pleasant Point.

There was a crowded meeting at the OddHows Hall, Pleasant Point, on Thursday eniug. The hall was artistically decorud by Mr James Anderson with Hags of 1* hinds, two—the British and New salami—draping the walls nearest the atform, and along the back of the Mage as the sentence in ornamental lettering— Success to Our Queen and Country.” 3uie members of the Mounted Rifles were i the platform. Mr E. Acton presided, and Messrs Ball ad Albrighton opened the proceedings ith a pianoforte and piccolo duet, “ Return ? tho Guards,” which elicited much pplause. The chairman then made a few remarks, to expressed his great pleasure at being heir chairman that night at a meeting 'here all British subjects met on a comiou footing, united in one groat, cause, ieforc speaking of the object of their reeting Mr Acton made passing reference d events in South Africa, and the part Engmd had taken, and in speaking of war, aferred to arbitration as another way of attling great national difficulties. He Iso, in speaking of the loss of life, and the great sorrow and sufferings which were tho outcome, referred to the Peninsular war, and instanced a battle were 8000 people were killed in four hours. Mr Acton pointed out the worst features of war, and iu closing bis rcnuirks sfiid tluit wbfit they had to do at present was to try in some small way to lessen the want and the suffering caused by the war in which England was now engaged. (Applause) Mr P. Slanden sang “ The Fighting Fusiliers.” and Miss Sinclair “ The Highland Soldier’s Dream,” both giving very nice renderings indeed. Dr Jhomas sang “ Rule Brittania” amid great enthusiasm, the audience joining in tho chorus, and the last verse had to be repeated. Mr George Butler said that he was glad to see such a good meeting. He gave a short history of what had been done locally for the Patriotic Fund. The question had come before the County Council, and on the simgestion of the chairman each member of The ridings had taken a list, and interviewed the residents, had met with ,r o od encouragement, and had about Jlol on his list so far. In his canvass of the riding tho question had been asked to which fund the money was to be allocated. He had written enquiring into the matter, and he read out the reply which ho had received. The letter set forth the object of the Patriotic Fund. Mg, Butler said that such a fund would bo of-great benefit to the British soldiers in South Africa, and especially to their fellow-colonists, the men from Now Zealand, comrades in arms to the four troopers of the South Canterbury Mounted Infantry, who were present on the platform that evening. (Prolonged applause.) Men who had given themselves to their Queen and country, and he had prayed God to help and protect thorn. (Applause.) Tho hearts of all present were with them, and he sincerely hoped that they would be blessed with health and strength. Mr Butler went on to say that not only were men from Now Zealand engaged in this war, and helpinf England; throughout tho length and breadth of the British Empire all were rendering their utmost assistance. It would be a regrettable thing if no help wore forthcoming for the widows and children of their soldiers. As they all knew provision was being made for them, and the people of Pleasant Point were doing what they could to sw'ell the Pathriotic Fund. Mr Butler closed by referring to some local incidents of helping on the fund, and he was sure that all would do their best for the old flag which waved over them. (Prolonged applause.) Miss Action then contributed a song in a j most pleasing manner, and Mrs Hinson crave as a piano solo “ The Battle March of llolhi,” Mr Albrighton following with tho song ic The Flag e Dove, and getting a unanimous encore for such a patriotic number. The Rev. J. White said that it was a great pleasure to him to be present, and to see such a large company assembled. ’ He said, however much they regretted the war, this was no time for discriminstion, 3 and speaking as a minister of the Gospel, • he was iu favour of a most vigorous prose- , cution and successful termination of the r Transvaal war. (Applause.) The only • way bo get peace was to go to war, sometimes, and therefore he believed in war in ; its proper place, as society was at present i constituted. In his opinion Britain was not only fighting the Boers, but was fighting , the sentiment which had arisen of late , years among tho nations of Europe, which 3 would like to seo Britain bite tho dust and 3 hurl at her tho scriptural taunt “ Art thou 3 also become as one of us.” He referred to , the heritage which had been given to every r Britisher, and spoke of the position Britain 3 occupied among the great nations of the 3 world, a position which he trusted she would never abdicate, though the heavens t should fall. Mr White made brief refer- , once to the Peninsular and Crimean wars, and rejoiced to see that the Empire was at s the present time more patriotic than ever. - He reminded them of the one watchword s for the whole nation as set forth in Holy s Writ, and closed his remarks by reciting 3 Tennyson’s “ Ode on the death of the Duke of Wellington.” Miss Kent gave a most spirited rendering of “ Tommy Atkins.” A great encore followed, and in choosing “ Soldiers of the Queen,” Miss Kent had the audience with ■, her in the most enthusiastic manner. Mr John Acton gave a good rendering of 1 “ A Soldier’s Grave,” and then Mr Gus Jones was given a most flattering reception ; for his singing of “ The Absent-minded I. Beggar.” As an encore be sang two verses which had just been handed to him, and y these were also well received. While Mr Jones was singing the four troopers “ held tho flag,” and £2 2s Id in silver and copper were thrown into it. Collectors also went among the audience and accepted donations payable at the end of the month, the sums, L put down on the lists being .£5 ss, JUO 3s and £2 Os Od. The Rev. Stanley Hinson referred to the English people whereever they happened to be were assisting England, though ® he did not say that she stands at the pre- “ sent time in need of help. The help she ss was getting, however, showed the wide extent of her empire. No doubt if England had no help she would give a very good account of herself, and maintain her Is proud position in the world. But that was not the point; Englishmen wore doing all iu their power to help her, and those at 1 Pleasant Point were that evening joining in. At that moment her soldiers might he shooting Boers or sticking bayonets into them ; the people before him bad not this opportunity, but they were helping England. They were proud to do so ; proud also that one among them had responded -j to his country’s call; their hearty good wishes went with him, and when he returned to the Point, they would be proud to see him, to shake him heartily by the hand, and say “ Well done, Greig.” (Hearty applause.) Mr Hinson then referred to tho wars between English and Dutch, taking his hearers back 250 years; and 0 closed his remarks by saying that there was something more than mere sentiment stirring the nation at the present time, 3 ‘ something that was on a very solid and jT lasting foundation, when everyone of us ■■ wanted to show our loyalty to our Queen 0 and appreciation of being a British subject. (Applause.) Miss Kent sang “ Her Majesty,” and 0 Miss Lambert played “ Stars and Stripes” as a piano solo, both items being greatly appreciated. Mr Butler closed the meeting by moving i- a vote of thanks to the Oddfellows for free V use of room, to the newspapers for free advertising, to Mr Janies Anderson for bis

labour of love in decorating the room, and ' to the chairman for so ably presiding. Mr 1 Butler expressed regret that the meeting ! had clashed with the Kcrryto'vn entertain- ] ment, and spoke feelingly of the good offices I of the Eov. Father Galerne. Mr Butler also announced that various sums collected, £2 4s 6d for war fund, and £lO 2s taken at the door, these sums being in addition to others mentioned above. The Rev. Mr White seconded the motion, j speaking highly of the work douo by Mi’ ( Butler. , The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting was brought to a close shortly before II o'clock by all singing the National Anthem, cheering the Queen and our Contingent, and groans for Kruger. George Henshilwood, a young man ■ aged 21, employed by Mackay, Logan, Steen and Co, Wellington, fell down a lift 30 feet on Thursday morning, and and was badly hui 1. Ho has broken his arm and sustained other injuries. Ho had his back to the lift and was not aware that it was open. A man named McConvillo, aged 35, was found dead on Thursday morning at Macgaweka. The body was on one side of the fence, and a gun on the other side. It is presumed that death was the result of an accident. It Is rKRVEC'n.v Reliable. “ We Imvesold many different cough remedies, but none has given bettor satisfaction than Chamberlain's,” says Mr Charles Holzhaner, Druggist, Newark, S.J. “It is perfectly safe, and can be relied upon in all cases of coughs, colds, or hoarseness.” Sold by J. C. Oddie, Temuka, and W. Baxter, Geraldine. Mrs Mary Brown, aged 28, wife of a farmer at Matakina, died in a dentists establishment in Auckland on Thursday while having teeth extracted under the influence of chloroform. She leaves two children. A railway shunter named Peter Patterson, aged about 50, was killed on Wednesday night at the Christchurch railway station. While shunting trucks ho had to run to the front of a moving truck to apply the brake, when it ia supposed thut he tripped over the rails aud the front wheels passed over his groin. The truck was derailed by the shock. The roan was : picked up immediately, but died in a few minutes. He leaves a wife and family of eight clvhb en.