STAFFORD TOWN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 711, 9 August 1870, Page 2

STAFFORD TOWN.

[from an occasional correspondent.] On the 7th of August, 1869, a band of. three formed a Temperance Society ; quietly worked it up by the aid of tracts, lectures, &c, and in 12 months obtained 200 converts to the pledge. With the assistance of a few Hokitika friends the meetings were well sustained every other Saturday night, until the National School became too small. The society then found so many converts that they determined to have a Temperance Hall, so they purchased the Beehive Store, in the best part of Stafford Town, and further agreed to open a branch of the Temperance Order of Rechabites. The needful preliminaries were arranged to open the branch on August sth, the first anniversary day of the society. At 3 p.m. the District Officer, Mr W. Dale, P.D.C.R., assisted by Bro. Coburri, P.C.R,, Bro. Wright, Secretary, and many other visitingbrothers from the Hokitika Tent, opened the branch ; and fifteen were dtily initiated into the mysteries of Rechabiteism, jand the followinsr brethren were 'elected officers : -F. Beal, Chief Ruler ; J. Fisher, Deputy Ruler ; A. Carmickle, Levite ; D. Anderson, Treasurer; R. Roberts, Guardian; W. O. Roberts, Guardian ; J. Weiti, secretary. The officers then took the usual obligations, and were duly installed in their respective offices ; having been addressed by the D.C.R., the tent was adjourned to Tuesday next. At half-past six o'clock the Rechabites appeared in their regalia at the Temperance Hall, and marched to the Oddfellows' Hall, where they formed in two lines, and the 1.0.0. F., M.U., members marched through to the Temperance Hall. They then fell in two lines, and the Rechabites marched in, followed by the M.U., who turned out to give a hearty welcome to the new kindred society. A splendid spread was provided, and between 300 and 400 sat down to supper. After the tables were cleared, the Rev. J. Gow took the chair, and gave his hearty support to teetotalism, staging that for twenty-five years he hadbeen a teetotaller. The Secretary then read the report, and introduced the founder, Mr Paul Fairclough, who was loudly cheered. He was followed by the Rev. Mr Shaw, Mr Dale, Mr West, Mr Gibson, Dr. Mathews, and several others. The meeting continued till eleven o'clock. The Stafford Town Brass Band rendered good service. The usual vote of thanks to the Oddfellows' Band, ladies, speakers, &c, brought the largest meeting ever held in Stafford Town to a close.

By request of many friends, Mr Dale gave^a temperance lecture on Saturday evening, in the Temperance Hall. There was a very good attendance, and the. President was in the chair. At its close, Mr Dale received the hearty thanks of the meeting. A good number signed the pledge, and a number more gave in their names to become Rechabites. A Temperance Coffee-house is also opened, and in a few weeks a Public Reading-room will be opened in the hall ; in fact Stafford Town bids well to become a place of renown in connection with the temperance cause. •