TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2221, 30 June 1891, Page 2

TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

A. meeting of those interested in the formation of the Temuk* Total Abstinence Society was held last Friday night in the Social Hall. There were abont fifteen persons T present. Mr E, C. Dann occupied the chair. The chairman said that the provisional committee bad been at considerable trouble to find suitable premises for a club room. The only place available was a house belonging to Mr M, Gaffaney. ibis could be procured at a rental of 12s 6d per week. The stable attached could be let at about 4a . per week. The expenses under these circumstances were as follows.:—Bent, £7 I6s; lighting, £1 19a; firing, £l 9a; a total of £ll 4s. By letting the stables the expenses would be reduced to £9 6s. This would necessitate 40 members at Is 6d per mouth, or 40 at 2$ per month. Miss. Lee’s rooms had also been offered, and if these were takeu Y the expenses would probably be about £8 5s 6d. There were rooms at Mr Qaffaney’e that could be lot to a caretaker. The provisional committee also made suggestions as to rules. These were 1, that the Society be called “ The Temuka Total Abstinence Society ”; 2, That each person when joining the club shall enter his name upon the roll as a total abstainer; 3, an entrance fee of 2s 6d shall be paid and a subscription of Is 6d per month for each member, subscriptions to be paid in advance; 4, the club shall be under the supervision of a committee of ten, including chairman, secretary, andtreheUrer, to be elected annually • 5, the club reoms to be open from 10 am. to 10 p.m. The chairman aaid that Dr Hayes had suggested that a provisional committee could be formed, and if a sufficient number joined in say a week or ten days the club could be started. Mr Brown regretted tbac ao little enthusiasm was now shown, but approved of the suggestions of Dr Hayes. The chairman accounted for the absence of a number by a generally expressed opinion that the club was to be too straitlaced. The presence of two clergymen upon the committee had frightened some. He understood farther that there was some intentions of an athletic club being formed. r ' Mr Brown thought that the people present at the last meeting were responsible for putting clergymen on (he committee. He thought it only an excuse made by lukewarm people to keep away. Mr Brown said he judged by the applause that greeted Mr Dellow’s remarks showed that the people were prepared to accept clergy

men on the committee. However, it was now only to be considered if the movement wai to be proceeded with. After soma desultory conversation the chairman said that it was proposed that there should be cards, draughts, chess, boxing, etc., debates, and so forth. After some further discussion Mr Brown mevsd “ That the thanks of the meeting be accorded to the provisional committee for their 'services, and that a committee of three be appointed to receive names, eto., of intending members.” Seconded by Mr E. King and carried. Mr Browfi then moved “ That the three membsra present of Ike former committee, viz., Messrs Dann, Buxton, and Whitehead be appointed to receive the names cf intending members until July 4th, and on receipt of 60 names with subscriptions and entrance fees, the club to be considered established.” The motion was seconded by Mr Monahan and carried. Consideration ef the rules as drafted followed, and the following amendments were made: —Rule 2 te read ** That the club shall consist of total abstainers only ”; rale 8, “ That the entrance fee be one shilling, and the monthly subscription Is 6d.” Mr Brown demurred to this as he considered that the club could not he started without some little capital. Bui* was amended to read That the club Shall be governed ky a committee elected by its members and that the amusements shall consist of draughts cards, bagatelle, boxing and single ■ticks, debates, social entertainments, •tc.”

After some farther discussion it was resolved " That aa soon aa the com* mittee have Enrolled 60 members that a general meeting of members ■hall be called.” Consideration of rule 5 was deferred. Some minor details were discussed and the meeting terminated in the usual way.