OPENING OF THE GOOD TEMPLAR HALL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2065, 17 August 1875, Page 3

OPENING OF THE GOOD TEMPLAR HALL.

- This hall, of which we have already given* full description, was formally opened last night, and dedicated as its name implies to the cause of Temperance by Mr W. J. Speight, G.W.C.T. The various lodges of the Thames and Bechabites mustered in good numbers, and included nearly all the officers of the Northern Pioneer Lodge, Star Lodge, Hope of Tararu Lodge, and several members of the Sir Wilfrid Lawson Temple. In all there were over 2CO present, being as many as the Hall would comfortably hold. The Chairman, Mr McNeil, of the Star Lodge, commenced the dedication of the Hall by giving out the opening ode " In Thy Great Name," which was sung by all assembled. Bro. W. J. Speight, G.W.C.T., assisted by Sister Richards •nd Sister Honiss, then formally dedicated the Hall with the usual ceremonies, after which the closing ode "With joy O Lord" was sung. : . . Mr Speight tfien in the absence of the chairman addressed those present in a .'. speech well delivered arid spoken to the point. He briefly reviewed the progress of Temperance at the Thames and elsewhere, and sajd*. that if it failed in fulfilling the work iFirad in view, the fault did not lie j in the cause of Temperance itself, but in the members for not efficiently supporting it; but he assured them'that as far as he cduld see, and:the results of his recent visit to Auckland justified him in saying this, he saw no cause for despondency, " especially when he regarded the fact that ■trength lay not so much in numbers as in unity of purpose, which unity he hoped would be increased more and more. He also spoke of those who had done much for the cause when subject to much ridicule" and misrepresentation, and who by their lives and principles thoroughly consistent .the one, with the otherihad brought Good Templarism to be what it then was, the safeguard of many and the refuge of, more; He exhorted all there to follow in their pathi and present to the would at large the picture of one large family of brothers and sifters living in harmony. At the conclusion of Mr Speight's •peech a song, "Hpnie they brought her warrior dead,'' was sung by Misses K. and E. Eichards, which was sang so well as^to ensure;.its repetition being demanded, when the song ."Maggie's ■Secret" was substituted. -A recitation, -"Sp^ciarPiflading" was given next by Mr White head, who followed in answer •to-the applause.with "Lady Clara Vere de Vere."-. Mr Dewar then read the financial statement of the Lodge, which as we have stated with contributions and "help rendered could not have been, far .abort of £300. The debt still on< the Lodge was £114 16s 6d., towards which T £6.los; 44 was collected.during the evening. Mr JDewar also acknowledged the handsome, donations of Mr Jenkins who, when the Lodge were tied down not to ex,pMd :;more: than- £250, had generously come to the rescue and enabled the ■much needed porch before the-hall to be erected, and also referred to the help Vivien; by Mr.Thbmas of the Queen of Beauty, Mr Platt, the contractor, and others employed during the alterations in the hall, and hoped that others, especially Jyoiing= ladies, rwould jjoin in helping to render the hall comfortable in every re■spect. > MiW; Viall- then sang "The Gipsy's Warning" and .was loudly-4nc'6fed.'-:Mr E. Lewis addressed the meeting, and after a part song, "Some. One will tell Me, J> by the choir, and two recitations by Miss Kowe, a very pleasant: evening was brought to a close by singing God save the Queen. • The soiree of the Good Templars takes place this day week. Tickets for the tea and entertainment can be obtained from Mr E. Honiss aud others.