SYDENHAM PROHIBITION LEAGUE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7871, 23 May 1891, Page 6

SYDENHAM PROHIBITION LEAGUE.

The annual meeting of. the Sydenham Prohibition League was held last night in the schoolroom of the Wesleyan Church, Colombo street south, and was well attended.

The Rev. L. M. _____ occupied the chair, and after twelve new members, of whom seven were ladies, bid been elected, said that it would perhaps be fitting for bim to congratulate the members and officers, and especially the ladies of the League (applause) who had worked so persistently and enthusiastically throughout the year, upon the measure of success the League had achieved. The year 1891 was a very black one for the licensed victuallers of New Zealand (applause), and was a year of big omen of disasters for the future. The League had to congratulate themselves on the fact that they were watching the commencement of a great movement in connection with the question of the drink trade ; that whatever legal barriers might be interposed, whatever temporary checks they might suffer, an enthusiasm had been kindled which would continue to spread, and where there were now only a half a dozen or a dozen prohibition districts fighting the licensed victuallers, . in"* 1894 they would have every licensing district in New Zealand fighting for prohibition. Exception would be defeat, and the rule would be victory. (Applause). They would proceed to elect the officera for the year, and he hoped that in "May, 1892, they would have just as much cause to congratulate themselves upon the twelve months' work as they now could congratulate themselves upon what had been achieved in the past year. (Applause): Tne election of officers was then taken, and resulted as follows: —President, the Rev. L. M. Isitt'; Vice-Presidents, the Revs. J. N. Buttle, P. R. MunTo, Messrs T. Cutler, J. S. Kent, L H. Penticost, and D. Jones; Secretary, Mr T. E. Taylor ; Treasurer, Mr t T. ' Cutler; Working Committee (of l which the officers are members ex officio), Mesdames Froggatt, White, Taylor, Delamare and Miss Hunt, and Messrs R. Madden, Ward, Simpson, E. Taylor and Forest^ A social reunion of the members and friends of the League was held in connection with the annual .'meeting. Light refreshments were provided!, .short addresses were delivered by the Reva, Isitt and Buttle, pianoforte selections, songs and recitations were contributed, so that altogether a pleasant evening was spent.. Miss Hayfield presided at the piano. . ' The President, at the close of the meeting, presented Mr T. E. Taylor with a gold medal as a mark of recognition of his services as Secretary of the League.