LUNCHEON TO MR. HASTINGS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1882, 14 January 1875, Page 2

LUNCHEON TO MR. HASTINGS.

THe Hon. 8. D. Hasting,* was entertained at a cold luncheon in .the Freemasons' Hall, Owen-street, at a little after 12 o'clock. The hall was suitably laid out, one long table being laid d«wn the centre of the hall, and one at each end. thus affording ample accommodation. Regarding the spread the Templars mus* be congratulated upon their ideas of such things—ii; was all that could be desired. About 60..ladies and gentlemen sat down to the tables. .

The Bey Mr Davies occupied the chair ; Mr Brodie the vice-chair.

rJ he collation having been discussed, Mr Davies made a few remarks. He said the luncheon had been so successful as to bid fair to become an institution. He expressed himself pleased that the event had been honored by so many of the fair sex, and then called upon Bro. Wright (who presided at the harmonium) to give them " Hail Columbia," whiqh he did, those present all standing. The Chairman called upon Mr Bagnall, M.P.C.,

Mr Bagnall, in the course of his address, said, though not able to properly appreciate "Hail Columbia," he had himself come from America, and was glad to do honor to their visitor, and by so doing to themselves. Although there was a sort of line drawn between the country from which Mr Hastings came and themselves, he believed that one of the distinguishing features of the present age was the approach of a unity of feeling between the Americans and themselves. With this idea he should always be glad to welcome all Americans so long as their principles were good.

Mr Speight agreed with what Mr Bagnail had £ aid, and referred to the separation of America from England. He "regarded with pride their own Monarchal form of Government and hoped it would live so long as the necessity for Governments in this world listed; but he believed that th& Americans had been in a measure forced into their present position, and he should always regard the people of that Continent as brothers. In concluding a really eloquent speech, Mr Speight hoped that Mr Hastings would carry away from hers a remembrance of the Templars in this country, and take the will for the deed ia the manner he had been received.

Mr Porter next addressed tbe meeting, and spoke encouragingly of the great progress of the cause all over the world ; finally congratulating Mr Hastings on his arrival.

Mr Hastings said he had been the recipient of kindness in his own country and elsewhere, but, if it was possible to exceed that kindness, it had been exceeded on the Thames. Ho had. been much interested in the remarks previously made. They touched his heart very sensibly. He could respond to the kind expressions which had fallen from their lips; but couid not understand one remark made by Mr Bagnall, who said he could not join in Hail Columbia. He could not understand why this should be. He (Mr Hastings) could respond from his inmost soul to their National Authem " God save the Queen." He looked upon all men as brethren ; his country, the world. Though at the same time he was proud of his country. He considered patriotism on 3of the finest traits in any man's character. Mr Hastings then delivered a lengthy oration on the progress of Good Templarism. He cornbatted a statement made hj the New Zealand Herald regarding the success of the Prohibitory Law in America that—it was a blunder. H© (Mr Hastings) replied to the Herald—who had only expressed the opinions of an " eminent legislator " and ' a clergjinan "-— that the prohibitory law was a success And he then proceeded to give proofs of" this, reading the opinions of a number of eminent men, and giving stat stical information regarding prohibitory towns, namely, Maine (in which the effects had been most salutary) Connecticut, Massachusetts, and others. He then made a number of general statements rebutting what had been said by opponents. Drunkenness had greatly decreased in America, according to the best statistics, in consequence of the prohibitory law ; its influence had done much to suppress crime, which was also shown unmistakeably to bare fallen off; and it exercised a most powerful influence on political economy. All these subjects the speaker treated of separately and with considerable force. ±fo concluded by thanking his hearers for their attention, which was very marked: The Chairman asked for a few observations from some one.

Mr French briefly addresied the as-

semblage, and spoke of the honor done them by their visitor. He also alluded to the good influence exercised by Good ■Templars outside the immediate duties of their Ofder. In 'connection with the congregation of which he was a member —the Wesleyan—there wag a numerously attended Sunday-school, in which nine* tenths of the teachers were Good Templars. With a few other remarks, Mr French concluded.

The meeting soon afterwards broke up, everyone having thoroughly Cloyed themselves. ' ""