WAITANGURU.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 580, 28 June 1913, Page 5

WAITANGURU.

Own Correspondent. Last Tuesday evening Mr Buckingham, a Congregational minister, delivered a lengthy and mojt interesting address on the alt-important question of "Prohibition" in the Town Hall. The weather was very unpromising, and the awful state of the roada impossed a severe handicap on those who were desirous of venturing out. Not undaunted, there were some who exemplified by their attendance the characteristics of the backblocker by displaying the fact that they had no intention of allowng the elements to frustrate their purpose. Taking all things into consideration the attendane was good, the audience comprising fifteen adults, three of whom were women, and ten children. The speaker humoured his audience by making an appeal to them for the contribution of a vocal item, consenting to afterwards favour them with one himself. As no response to his appeal was forthcoming, he rendered the popular old Irish song "Killarney," a subsequent item being'"Boys of the Old Brigade," both renderings being very creditable. He then proceeded with his subject, and as an introduction propounded an affirmation that he was no party man and did not believe in voting narrow-mindedly for a member because he was a Prohibitionist; and thereby disregarding all statesmanlike qualities he may otherwise possess. He further expressed hia pleasure of the manner of deciding the question as it now stood, declaring there was no moderate halfway between course to favour, but a clear-cut either for or against. In support of his argument he laid much stress on the liquor traffic and its relation to crime, poverty, and revenue, and very clear and decisive was his explanation. After his address he invited questions, Messrs Buckley, Jones and Rodgers responding, the questions referring to revenue, bad liquor, as a medicine, and grape growing respectively. The questions were answered very promptly and satisfactorily and after the speaker had further contributed a couple of songs, he concluded by thanking his audience for their attendance and attention that evening, finally appealing to the liberality of their pockets, the sum of 10s 71d being raised. Mr Frederickson moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, responded to by ac- [ clamation, and the meeting dispersed.