[May 14, 1892 – Auckland Star] The second of the series of fortnightly entertainments was held last night in the Mount Albert Hall. It was pleasantly informal, the presiding genius of the night, Mr A. Kerr-Taylor, assisted by Messrs H. Conder and A. Martin, receiving the visitors, and calling their attention to the prettily arranged tables where games of all kinds, illustrated papers, etc., were provided.
Music and recitations were given at intervals by the following: Mr Hubert Kensington, recitation “Dr. Bolus:” Mrs Vosper, song, “The Skipper and his Boy,” accompanied by Miss Larkins; Mr Alfred Martin, humorous recitation. For an encore he gave “The Midshipmite.” Mr Conder, comic, song, “The Careful Man,” chorus by the audience; Miss Kensington played the accompaniment; Mr Clifford Priestley, recitation; Mr Gilmore, hunting song, accompanied by Miss Violet Taylor. The three last were also encored. Coffee was then handed round, and a debate on smoking commenced.
DEBATE ON “SMOKING.”
Mr Rattray opened it in a practical little speech, in which he argued that smoking was objectionable on three grounds: – lt cost money; for those who spent only one shilling a week on tobacco would, if that money were put regularly in the savings bank at 5 per cent, by the time the age of 70 was reached be in possession of £440. Smoking was a dirty habit. Note how disagreeable and unpleasant a room was after being used by smokers. Smoking was also injurious to health, inviting dyspepsia, heart disease and cancer. In support of the latter, the speaker referred to the painful death of the late German Emperor.
Mr Vosper, in replying, stated that he had smoked for 20 years without ill effects. He questioned whether the shilling a week was saved by non-smokers. No doubt if carried to excess smoking was a dirty habit, but if indulged in in moderation it was by no means so. He contended it tended to sooth the nerves. The captain of a ship in the midst of great anxiety caused by bad weather, said he found a pipe an immense help. Personally, the speaker said, and many men would agree with him, when worried by wife or family a smoke was most soothing. Travellers, exposed to all kinds of hardship and loneliness, found a pipe an excellent companion. The speaker concluded by saying that ladies liked it, and should smoke.
Exception was taken to this remark by one lady, who asked how a man would like to return home and find his wife with a black pipe in her mouth? How would a young man, taking the first kiss from the lips of the girl he was courting, like to detect a strong smell of smoke? Men might say they had no objection to women smoking, but it must be women who were no relations of theirs.
Mrs Conder, Mr Wright and the Rev. F. Larkins made a few remarks, the latter quoting the story of the two shipwrecked men, the non-smoker being devoured by cannibals, the other, saturated with tobacco, being rejected. On a show of hands being taken, it was decided that the smokers had won the day.