NELSON FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 2, 1 November 1883, Page 5

NELSON FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION.

The Nelson Colonist of a recent date announces the formation of a Freethought Association in that city. A meeting was held in King's Assembly Rooms, when some 150 were present including a number of ladies. Mr Gilbert occupied the chair, and at some length explained the objects of the Association. Mr Player, of Wellington, likewise addressed the meeting, giving a history of the Wellington Association, and Mr Mears also gave an address, urging all present to take an interest in the movement. A provisional Committee

was formed for the purpose of drawing up rules, and toreport at the meeting to be held the next Sunday evening. The following are the names of the Provisional Officers and Committee : President, Mr Gilbert; Vice President, Mr Stevenson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Chittenden ; Committee, Messrs Player, Mears, House, D, Burns, King, Mrs Burns, and Mrs King.

In reference to the above, we have pleasure in publishing the following letter :

Nelson, October gth, 1883. Sir, —It is with much pleasure that I have to inform you that we have been successful in establishing a Freethought Association in Nelson. Mr. Plajer, the Vice-president of the Wellington Freethought Association, paid us a visit about a fortnight ago, and he finding out a few Freethinkers, it was decided amongst us to advertise a meeting for all those interested in forming a Freethought Society, and to our great surprise the hall was filled. The President was chosen, and a very pleasant evening was spent. On the following Sunday the room was filled, a good many ladies being present, and all expressed themselves pleased. We enrolled fiftyfive members that night, and four or five during the week, and, as far as I can see, there is nothing to prevent success. Mr. King has kindly placed his hall at our disposal for twelve months free of charge. Mr. Hears has consented to give us a lecture on Sunday evening, when I hope still to be able to report progress. We have also arranged for music, and now all we want is proper rules, so as to enable us to get along. If you can give us a few hints as to rules, management, or the class of music that would be most acceptable, I should be happy to receive same. Yours respectfully, Lewis H. Chittenden, Hon. Sec. [We are very pleased to hear of the formation of an Association in Nelson, and wish it a prosperous career. The Dunedin Freethought Association has published a small book of hymns and music which we think will be found suitable. We publish in another column a model set of rules that can be altered at pleasure.]