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Kumara Times, Issue 869, 14 July 1879, Page 4

The annual report presented at the meeting of the Natural Temperance League alluded (says a Home paper) to the many indications of an ever-increasing interest on the part of the public at large in the work of temperance reform, followed by an admission of the discouraging fact that notwithstanding depressed trade and greatly increased ameliorating agencies the Excise returns showed no diminution, but rather a slight increase in the alcoholic consumption of the country, which the committee attribated to the circumstance that while mvey were striving to suppress intemperance, only a few comparatively had yet seen the importance and necessity of preventing it. They were glad to see that the medical proftssion was gradually approaching the standpoint of the League. In the Royal Navy oi !- re * Ii. ere em P eran ce branches on board ai? * ships at present in commission. About 2000 pledge cards, and 267 cards of honor had been issued during the year, and the men had contributed over LBO towards the work. Branches also ex sted on bo*ad the Cover ment training ships, and membership cards had been Issuei to 672 Greenwich Hospital boys. The military branch was reported to be producing results of an exceemngly gratifying character.

In answer to the prayer of a ne'dti&n from the inhabitants of Hokitika, the Minister of Justice declines for the present to accede to th ? «lease of a prisoner gaol- fl y Chamberlain, mow ia Hokitika