Meetings at Kihikihi.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2246, 30 November 1886, Page 2

Meetings at Kihikihi.

Mil Burnett held a meeting in the hal| on Tuesday evening, the ftev. Mr Mather in the chair. The attendance was fairly Rood. In a few words the chairman introduced the Jecturer, who gave one of his " pictures from real life," the subject being "Irish Mat." The lecturer sketched Mat's career, and how by means of Gospel temperance he was reclaimed from being a diunkard, and became u respected member of hociety. The address was listened to with attention thtoughout, and at the close, about 14 signed the pledge and donned the "bit ot blue." On Wednesday afternoon, a meeting was held in Rwei's house, Key. Mr Hutson accompanying Mr Burnett. Mr W. H. Grace kindly interpreted the address to the natives, of whom between 20 and 30 were present, 21 signing the pledge at the close of the meeting, among th»se who signed were Kewi, hid wife and family. In the evening another meeting was held in the hall, Mr W. H. Grace in the chair. In »pite .if the heavy rain there wi»B a good attendance. Arrangements had b^en made for a visit to the school, but owing to the native meeting this had to be abandoned. Mr Burnett expressing his regret at not being able to address the children. This e\ ening he took for his lecture two subjects, one the great temperance advocate Father Matthew, explaining the good work that had been done by him, and how he had induced hve millions out of the population in Ireland to sign the pledge, and al->o 600,000 in Scotland ; beoides being successful in England. The other subject was " Yankee Bill,' who was a confirmed drunkard at 26. He went one evening to hear Mr Burnett lecture, the subject being "The pale horae and it's rider." Bill's commentary on Mr Burnett was that he was the greatest fool of all the fools he had ever seen, and he predicted that he (Mr Burnett) would be in the asylum in six months. The resr.lt of that evening's lecture was that "Bill" was reformed, and became a staunch advocate of tempeiance, inducing seventeen thousand to sign the pledge, and when Mr Burnetts health broke down he took his place on the lecture platform. This was in Australia, for Mr Burnetts work has been entirely carried on in the colonies, where he has been the means of inducing nearly two hundred thousand to sign the pledge. On one or two occasions he returned to England for his health, and while there continued his work. Several signed this evening, the chairman setting the example, explaining at the same time that though he was one ot the most temperate of men, he would give up even the occasional glass in order to induce others to follow his example. Twenty two followed his lead, making a total of 37, exclusive of the Maoris, or a grand-total of 58. The usual votes of thanks closed each meeting.