MR. MATTHEW BURNETTS TEMPERANCE MISSION.

Kumara Times, Issue 2947, 10 April 1886, Page 3

MR. MATTHEW BURNETTS TEMPERANCE MISSION.

Mr Matthew Burnett, the popular social reformer and Temperance advocate, addressed a large audience at the Theatre Royal last night; there was a good proportion of the fair sex present. His Worship the Mayor (H. Burger, Esq.) presided, and on the platform were the Revs. T. Hodgson (Anglican), J. Hosking (Wesleyan), and P. Ramsay (Presbyterian—ministers), also Mr Cameron, Secretary to the Dunedin Grand Lodge 1.0.G.T., and Mr F. Barrowcuan. A united orchestra consisting of members of the various church choirs was also present, and at intervals of the speeches, under the leadership of Mr Cain, sang several hymns, Mrs Williams playing the organ accompaniments.

The Rev. T. Hodgson read a portion of Holy Scripture, from I. Corinthians, 8 ch., 3rd and following verses; after which, The Rev. P. Ramsay offered up a prayer invoking a blessing on Mr Barnett’s mission in Kamara.

The Chairman thanked those gentlemen who had invited him to preside. Though not a total abstainer, yet he was glad to introduce a gentleman who was devoting so lunch lime and energy to the cause which be had undertaken, and whom they could not but admire. The Rev. J. Hoskiugsaid he had been deputed by the Blue Ribbonites to give Mr Matthew Burnett a hearty welcome.

Mr F. Barrowman, on behalf of the Good Templars, also wished to welcome Mr Burnett. There had been 800 on the. rolls of their books ; most had left the district; some had broken their pledge; and a faithful few remained. Mr Cameron, Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars, Dunedin, hoped the people of Knmara would give Mr Barnett a good reception. He had travelled through Southland, Otago and Canterbury, and Mr Barnett’s work was everywhere spoken of very highly. Mr Burnett was singularly successful at Hokitika, where he had constrained 500 persons to sign the pledge, and 662 donned the blue, and he expected nearly 200 more, as he was, by request, going to deliver another address there next Tuesday night. He said ire had been cordially supported in Iris mission at Hokitika by Mr Bonar, M.L.C., and Mr Bevan, M.H.R., both wine and spirit merchants, and that the former had donned the blue.—[Applause.] Mr Matthew Burnett, who was suffering from lameness, occasioned by a fall in a bath some three weeks ago at Christchurch, then stood up, supported by his walking-stick. He was loudly cheered. Addressing the Mayor, and Ladies and Gentlemen, .Mr Burnett said he thanked the people very much for the hearty welcome they had given him to that platform and to the

town. He also thanked the Rev. Mr

Hosting for the very kind words - spoken by him. To the gentleman on his right, too (Mr Barrowman) he was also grateful. He (Mr Burnett) had the honour of being a Good Templar since 1872, and had been thankful that

he had been able to help on the movement in their own beautiful Hew Zealand. He was a Torkshireman, and whatever a Yorkshirernan did, they did it heartily. If you will, said the speaker, and I know yon will, we will have a hearty meeting to-night. He should always recollect Mr Hodgson at Riverton as the first minister to call upon and sympathise with him. Mr Hodgson was a man much revered not only by his own people there, hut bv persons of all creeds. [Applause.] He congiatulatcd the community of Kumara, who would find in Mr Hodgson a man who would do his utmost in the cause of religion and humanity. He (Mr Burnett) had been twenty five years in this mission, ami twenty-three out of that time in Australia and Hew Zealand, during which time 130,000 men, women, and children, representing the rich and the poor, the learned and the unlearned, had taken the pledge. He would like some of those present to favour him with the names of the few hard drinkers who wore left here, that ho might speak a kind word to them, and would be pleased if tbe Chairman would accompany him.—[Applause.] If he could only help one of these out of the mire he would ho gratified. Mr Burnett then gave a sketch of the career of “ Honest John,” a man who had been addicted to drinking and gambling, and had at last resolved to commit suicide. He met him at one gf his meetings.

remonstrated and sympathised with him, and induced him to sign the pledge. t; Hone.sl John” afterwards became a very prosperous man, paid all his debts and yeais afterwards Jit Burnett saw him in the enjoyment of wealth and luxury. Mr Burnett concluded by a very powerful appeal to his hearers to come forward and sign the p'edge ail'd don the blue tibbon. During the singing of other hymns by the choir, some fifty persons went forward and signed the pledge, and more than that number donned the bit of bine.