SUNDAY OBSERVANCE LEAGUE.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 219, 20 February 1875, Page 3

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE LEAGUE.

A public meeting was held on Thursday at the Lyttelton Colonists’ Hall. The object of the meeting was to receive a deputation from the League, to explain the principles and objects of the association. The deputation consisted of the Rev Mr Knowles, Messrs Shackleton, Dawson, Allen, and Haggett (hon. sec.) There was a very large attendance.

Mr H. E. Webb occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings. He said he had been asked to take the chair on this occasion, nad explained why the meeting was called. He would not say much now, as no doubt the deputation would more fully explain their objects. He might say that all his sympathies were with the league, He wished to state, however, that he had seen Mr Maude that morning, and he had said it was not the desire of the Provincial Government that any work should be done on Sunday in Lyttelton ; in fact, they were anxious that all unnecessary labor should be stopped, if possible. [Applause.] He would not detain them any longer now, but call upon the Rev Mr Knowles to move the first resolution. The Rev Mr Knowles, in a speech of some length, moved the following resolution:— “ That by the laws of God and man every individual has a right to one day of rest out of seven.” [ Applause.] Mr Dawson then addressed the meeting at some length, urging the necessity of observing the Sunday as a day of rest, and quoting medical testimony to prove his position. He concluded by seconding the resolution.

The Rev Mr McGowan supported the resolution, and thought that in a mixed community like this all they could do was to make Sunday a day of rest, and leave it to their ministers to inculcate special religious pbser vances.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Robinson proposed the next resolution as follows:—“ That this meeting approves of the object of the Canterbury Sunday League, and promises every sympathy and support in its efforts to preserve inviolate the one day of rest.” The Rev Mr Watkin seconded the resolution.

After Mr Allen had addressed the meeting in support of the resolution, it was put and carried.

Mr Fyfe proposed the next resolution, which ran as follows:—“ That a branch society of the Sunday Observance League be now formed, and that the secretary receive the names of all who are willing to act as a provisional committee.” Mr Graham seconded the resolution.

Mr Webb referred to the arrival of steamers in port on Sunday, and urged on the league to petition Government to refuse to allow them to clear after two o’clock on Saturday. After Mr Early had addressed the meeting. the resolution was put and carried. Mr P. Cunningham proposed—“ That the following gentlemen be formed into a committee, 'viz, The Revs Ferguson, McGowan and Watkin, and Messrs H. R. Webb, Robinson, Graham, Early, Fyfe, P. Cunningham, and G. N. Phillips, for the purpose of organising a branch society.” Mr Reed seconded the resolution, which was carried.

The Rev Mr McGowan and Mr George Mackay both stated that the petition must be to the General Goverment; Mr Mackay saying that it was entirely the fault of the General Government that steamers arrived and departed on Sunday. The owners of steamers were nearly all averse to the work, and he, himself, was strongly against it. He hoped that the General Government would be petitioned. [Applause. - ] Mr P. Cunningham thought that the matter lay with the Provincial Government ; they must expect that mails would be landed, but nothing else should be done, and the Provincial Government should be petitioned to stop all discharge and loading of vessels on Sunday. Votes of thanks to the deputation, to which the secretary replied, and to the chairman, terminated the meeting.