TEMPERANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2213, 11 June 1891, Page 2

TEMPERANCE.

Oa last Tuesday evening Mr E. Tennyson Smith addressed a meeting on the question of Prohibition in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. The hall was again crowded, and the chair was occupied by the Rev. Mr Dellow. After the singing of a hymn by a very large choir an 4 prayer, the rev. chairman said the meeting was bald to discuss Prohibition, and anyone who wished to take the side ef moderate drinking was quite welcome to step on the platform and give bis views on tne subject. No one coming forward, Mr Smith rose and again invited someone to taka the opposite aide. Someone from the back of the hall interjected some remark which elicited from another the information that the “ luterjeotor had not paid his batcher or baker for (he last six months.” To this the chairman objected, aod said they were there to discuss public questions and they would settle private accounts afterwards. Mr Smith, amidst great laughter, protested against the chairman’s ruling. Ho objected to be called upon to settle men’s private accounts. As soon as the laughter provoked by this neat repartee bad aubsided, Mr Smith proceeded with his lecture. He argued that drink robbed men of their will to an extent that they could not resist the temptation, and that lor them there was no cure except the total suppression of the traffic. He then dealt with objections raised by moderate drinkers to Prohibition, paying particular attention to the admissions of the publicans of Sydenham, who “ sorrowfully ” admitted that drunkenness existed in - their borough, but urged that it was . chiefly confined to. “professional drunkards.” Ha ridiculed in a scathing manner this and several other objections, and urged on all to assist in the causa of Prohibition. He spoke for an hour and three quarters, dealing out fact, ridicule, and argument, interspersed with racey anecdotes, which kept the audience in almost constant roars of laughter, and, after delivering a powerful address, sat down amidst great applause. The rev. chairman said that as this was the last night of Mr Sauib’s mission it was only right that they mould express their appreciation of the work done, and be, therefore, moved a hearty vote of thanks to him for his exertions in the eause of temperance. The motion was seconded by someone in the body of the ball, and carried by acclamation. Mr Smith, in acknowledging the compliment, said he felt better pleased here than anywhan he had been in yet. One hundred aad sixty had already signed the pledge, and he now wished to make it up to 200. He invited all to join, and then began a repetition of the previous evenings doings. The young ladies went to work again, their previous successes rendering them still more enterprising, and soon there was a crush resulting in soma 50 or 60 joining, several well-known citizens being amongst them. During the evening the Bev. Mr Dellow sang a couple of temperance ditties in a delightful manner. Never have we been so pleased with any singing as with Mr Dellow’s. He has an exceedingly pleasing voice, and one could listen all night to him. The meeting closed in the usual manner. Mr Smith will speak this evening in Geraldine. <