SONS OF TEMPERANCE ANNIVERSARY.

Southland Times, Issue 1547, 8 March 1872, Page 2

SONS OF TEMPERANCE ANNIVERSARY.

I — • — - I The friends of the temperance movement in Invercargill, and the members of the Society of the Sons of Temperance especially, have no reason to be dissatisfied with the gathering at the Drill Shed on Wednesday evening in honor of i the cause. Financially, the venture must have been a decided success ; as a reunion, the effect evidenced in the sociality and good feeling everywhere apparent, was all that could be desired, and as an illustration of the possibility of attracting an almost incredible crowd when the object is amusement, the numerical result ia certainly without parallel in Invercargill. The advertised hour for commencement was seven o'clock ; it was, however, halfpast before the beginning of the soiree. At this time, not less than 450 persons (aud probably nearer 500 than thafc number) were seated to tea, and subsequent relays arrived who were provided for by the vacation of earlier attendants. The gastronomic provision was faultless, and the attendance excellently manager 1 . Mr Donald Ross presided on the occasior, and the programme, a long and varied one, was well sustained throughout; the performance of the brass band, which, doubtless, had been regarded by many as the feature of the evening, in no way falling short of the expectation. The low roof of the building very materially damages the effect which so powerful a band as that under the leadership of Mr Stevens produces under better conditions of space, and this, with the crowded hall, caused at times a perfect tempest of sound. The vocal music, by Messrs M'Kellar and Erskine, was pleasingly and effectively rendered, while Mr Wotton, in his comic songs and humorous readings fully sustained his character as the popular favorite, and was loudly encored. The addresses by the various speakers were necessarily brief on account of the otherwise lengthy programme, so brief in fact that the principles and advantages of the Society were but very cursorily touched upon. It may be questioned whether any ono who may have attended the soiree with a desire for information on the subject of total abstinence in the abstract, will have found himself much the gainer. The Rev. Mr Stobo dwelt principally on the generally cheering aspect of the temperance movement, and regarded it aa rather an advantage that the Licensing Bill introduced into the British Parliament last year had been lost, believing that a much more stringent measure would be forced iv a future s°ssion. Mr Perkins hoped that the motive power which had produced the gathering would be applied to the carrying out of the ordinary work of the Society, in which case he predicted greater success. The Rev. J. S. Rishworth spoke on the advantages of the Society as a benefit society, and suggested that it would be advantageous to dispense with somewhat of its "ritualism," believing that the trappings of an order deterred miny persons from entering into it. A practical illustration of the necessity for the operations of the Society was given during the soiree. A visitor " (apparently a stranger to the town) who had, during the evening, imbibed something strongar than tea, became somewhat demonstrative, although otherwise harmless. Being afc the far end of the hall, and apparently unwilling to leave the festive scene, his removal was a work of some difficulty ; it was however accomplished without any breach of good humor, although afc the evident expense of dignity. The recording scribe, Mr W. B. Scandrett, read the following report of the Society for the past year, which shows a numerical aud financial advance: — In presenting to thia meeting the third annual report of thia Society,, it has been thought desirable to explain aa "briefly aa poaaible its objects and advantages. The order of the Sons of Temperance is a Friendly Society, composed entirely of members who are total abstainers from alcoholic liquors, and ita objects are to raise a fund by entrance fees and subscription of its msmbera for insuring a sum of money to be paid on fche death of a member or hia wife ; fov the relief of members in sickness or old age; and for providing proper medical attendance and medicines for members and their families. Persons desirous of joining have to be regularly proposed and balloted for admission, an entrance fee, according to age, and a subscription of ls per week being afterwards paid. These payments insure the services of a medical attendant and medicines to the member and his famUy ; should he become unable to follow his usual occupation, he will be entitled to receive 20s per week. On the death of his wife, he receives the sum of £10, and upon the death of a member, hia representatives are entitled to £20. During the past year, 20 members have joined [ the Society, but aa a set-off 12 have gone in arrears. The funda of the Society have, however, increaaed from £134 12a, to £180 10s. £44 has been expended for medical attendance, and £1.0 has been paid to a member on the death of hia wife. Theae facts wUI prove to you that the Society is established on a firm footing, aud if you look into the question as one of providing for tha Ula thafc flesh is heir to, it offers sufficient inducement and security to meet the necessities of a time of need.