Good Templars.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIV, Issue 2505, 17 April 1896, Page 2

Good Templars.

o FAREWELL SOCIAL TO MR D. mckenzie. A good gathering of Good Templars aud their friends assembled in the Schoolroom last night to bid farewell to Mr McKenzie, who is leaving the district for Masterton. Mr b. Hutching, P.C.T., who occupied the chair, explained the object of the meeting in a short address, after which an interesting programme of songs and recitations, interpersed with parlour games, w T as gone through. The following rendered items :—Miss Jones, song ; Mr Halliday, song; Mr Chappie, song; Miss E. Moore, song; Mr Sexton, recitation ; Mr Mitchell, concertina solo (encored); Mr Chappie, recitation. At an interval during the evening, refreshments were handed round by the sisters of the Lodge, and were much appreciated by all present. Mr Cox, L.D,, said it gave them a deal of pain to say good-bye to Mr McKenzie, as he had been really their best member during the time he had been in the Lodge, ever ready to push forward its interests, and always giving bis abilities to them not sparingly but willingly. Ac the same time they felt glad with him for the appointment he had received in Masterton, and he felt certain that what was their loss in losing their brother would undoubtedly be the gain of the Good Templars of Mustertou. He therefore for the Lodge had to wish Brother McKenzie every success iu his future career, with the hope that he would always be found as useful iu the Temperance cause as he had been iu Wood vi He,

Mr D. McKenzie replied, thanking Mr Cox for his kind words aud the gatheriug for the way iu which they had backed them up with their expression of feelings. He wished them all success as a Lodge and as a community, aud wound up by saying he would ever keep Woodville as a green spot in his memory. “ Anld Lang Syne ” was then sung, aud, after three hearty cheers for Mr McKenzie, the gathering broke up.

The following recitation, composed by Mr T. Sexton, was delivered by him during the progress of the evening FAREWELL TO BROTHER DAN. We meet to-night to wish good-bye To one of Wharili’s band, Who for the cause of Temperance Has worked with heart and hand. Since lie has joined our noble Order, Lis ardour lie never let flag. But fought lor right, with all his might, Beneath the Templar’s flag.

If our brother thought he had the right To battle on his side, He never feared to stand alone, Whatever might betide; Bold, fearless, aud outspoken, He’d always have his say ; Without a pause, for the Temperance cause, He held upon his way.

Wharili Lodge, to-night you lose A good hard-working man: Say, where will you find another To take tho place of Dan— One who will, for the Temperance cause, Ever dare to do what’s right, And in the van. like brother Dan, Bo eager for tho fight ?

May Ruccr-ss.attond yon, brother, Where'er you cast your lot, And think not by your Mother Lodge You’ll ever be forgot. And when the day of triumph comes, That from Drink’s curse we’re free, In that glad day, it’s then we’ll say, Of tho good work done by thee.

Let Masterton to-night rejoice, They get one of our best, And if they’re sluggish in their work We know he’ll break their rest; And though he's absent from our midst, In our thoughts he'll often stand, May every joy attend you, boy, God speed yon, brother Dan.