Temperance Reform Gathering.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XV, Issue 161, 17 June 1912, Page 3

Temperance Reform Gathering.

0 MR AND MRS GEORGE DASH HONOURED. REMINISCENT SPEECHES. In the Wesleyan Sunday School hall on Friday night some two hundred Temperance workers from town and country, assembled to do Concur to Mr George Dash, Secretary of the T.R. Union, and Mrs Dash, W.C.T.U. Secretary. Mr Tom Brown, President of the T.R.U., occupied the chair, and beside him on the platform were representatives of the various societies engaged in Temperance work.

The speakers included Rev. F. W. Isitt, of Christchurch, who characterised Mr Dash as a hero. The Dominion had taken note of his services to the cause, and he was worthy of the highest praise for his zeal, industry and optimism. InterFpersed with his references to the guests of the evening were parts in Mr Isitt's speech that dealt with the alleged cheating by the Liquor people at the polls. The Epeaker declared that Dominion Prohibition had only been lost to his side in the fight through thewnked tricks that the Liquor party got up to. He described one recourse in detail, alleging tampering with electors' voting papers. But victory would yet be theirs, and be prayed God thut he might live to see its glorious incoming. Other speakers were Messrs F. Rule. E. Bannerman. A. W. Barnett, Strack, J. Murray, R. Meredith, and Revs. Guy, Stonkwell and Morrison, and Adjutant Home. The chairman made the presentation to Mr and Mrs Dash of a silver tea and coffee service, as a slight token of the esteem in which they were held. (Applause). He mentioned that the ladies of the W.C.T.U. had joined with the general Temperance workers in the presentation, Mrs Dash having been an enthusiastic and business-like secretary.

Mr Dash, whu was greeted with prolonged cheering, said that aome of the speakers had called him a hero. He reckoned ha was a martyr—to have sat there and put up with all that had been said about him. Why, if tie had heard such a character sketched, and had not known it was supposed to be his own, he should hsve longed to have his time over aznir, so as to try if he could not live up to the ideals therein set forth; and as for Mrs Dash, why, she might very well have fallen to wondering why on earth she had not bfen thrown in the path of such a Sir Galahad instead of marrying a bald-headed coachbuildei. (Laughter), fie thsnked the speaker* for what of *rutn was in their remarks, and the company generally for its presence and token. That all those people h-d come nut that night because of George Dash was something to make him proud, and he felt proud of it. b'ut to the Temperance party he owed more than ever it owed to him. He had enjoyed the work—it had been congenial to him. Mrs Dash was different; she would rather do a week's housework any time than get up and make •<* speech—so that there was more need to thank her than him. Proceeding, Mr Dash said he felt it was worth living to have been associated with the many earnest, able and devoted men and women whose names were written large on the history of the temperance movement in Waimate. As far back as 1868- forty-four yearß ago—the first temperance meeting was held in Waimate. Flax and tussock were prominent in the now busy portion of Queen Street, and a noble totara tree stood at the bush edge where now was the corner of the hall they met in that night. This was before the advent of resident doctor, lawyer, editor, or clergyman. It was Christmas Day, and George Henry Graham, who for forty odd yea)s was the heart and soul of their total abstinence movement in Waimate, at that meeting an original poena cheering the settlers and bushmen on in temperance effort. The spark struck at that meeting was not allowed to die. Four years later, forty years ago, a little building called the Temperance Hall was erected, and still existed ss the centre of the present hall of that name. Here developed regular meetings, social evenings, a good templar lodge, and a coffee stall. The speaker's earliest recollections of temperance work were-"centered round

the namea of Georga Henry braham (whom thev all knew and respected) and Samuel William Gcldsmith, whosa memory was kept green to bim by many kindly encouragements extended to a new-chum boy. He could remember attending, 34 years ago, a juvenile Templar lodge in the ante-room of that building. This was conducted by Mr S. E. Bannerman, whose influence for good had been continuous and far reaching. The speaker had a pledge-card of the Wesleyan Band of Hope given him in 1879, and had many memories of the meetings and of their workers. Twenty-three years ago came into existence the Gospel Temperance Society, which for eight years did splendid service in both town and country places. Thirty-one years ago the Sydneham prohibition agitation brought into existence the Waimate Prohibition League. Mr Graham was its first president, followed ty Mr W. Manchester, and in the third year by Mr T. J. Brown, who had stuck to the position through good and evil report right on till now. Fourteen years ago the amalgamation of the Gospel Temperance Society and the Prohibition League brought into existence the present Temperance Reform Union. Reviewing in memory the years of this association in this district with temperance effort, he recalled the faces of very many men and women whose unceasing sacrifice of time and money in earnest effort to benefit their country and its people made it an honour and a pleasure to know them. Upon Mr Dash resuming his seat the whole company rose and sang "For they are Jolly Good Fellows," followed with cheers

Supper was handed round afterwards and a very pleasant gathering broke up at about 11 o'clock. During the evening songs were given by Misses Ferens, Thorns, and Stewart, Messrs Hay, E. Wilson, and McDonald, and a recitation by Mr Srachan. Miss Mille? played the accompaniments.