SYDENHAM WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6875, 13 March 1883, Page 5

SYDENHAM WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE MEETING.

A public meeting, in which the women of Sydenham took a prominent part, was held last night, in the local Oddfellows' Hall, which was nearly fall. The Mayor of the Borough (Mr J. Joyce) presided, and briefly introduced the object of the meeting, which was to protest against the Licensing Committee encouraging Mr Scrimshaw to build a public-bouse in Durham street. The Bev J. Crewee read apologies from the Bevs J. B.Bishworth and T. B. Cairns.

Mrs Sherlock moved the first resolution, as follows—" That this meeting most emphatically protests against the recent action of the Licensing Committee in giving any encouragement to Mr Scrimshaw to erect a publichouse in Durham street, Sydenham, such action being contrary to th,e spirit and letter of the Licensing Act, and consequently illegal" In moving the resolution the speaker urged that any addition to the number of public-houses would be a mistake, and that it was desirable that all drinking of intoxicating liquors should be abolished. (Applause.) The Chairman had here to expostulate with a man who made an allusion to the speaker requiring a pair of trousers. Mrs Lodge seconded the resolution, and pointed out that the sober had to pay for the results of drinking. She blamed the publicans and not the drunkards. Her heart was in the temperance cause, because she knew the miseries resulting from the liquor traffic. Let the women, for the sake of their husbands and children, and for their own sakes, look to the matter in time. (Applause.)

Councillor Webber supported the resolution in an eloquent speech, which was frequently applauded. In the course of his remarks he mentioned that Borimshaw's was only 214 Jardt from au hotel, and not half a mile as ad been stated.

The entrance of the children forming the Baptist Band of Hope at this stage was warmly applauded. The resolution was put and carried by a tery large majority. Mrs Scott moved—" That the statements put forward by counsel in Scrimshaw's case being suoh as they were, may to some extent account for the action of the Licensing Committee, but this meeting trusts that now these mis-statements have been publicly pointed oat, the Committee will see the propriety of withholding any further encouragement in that direction, as a public-house in such a position will only be a source of mischief and danger, as well as a nuisance to the neighbourhood, and is manifestly not required in the public interest." The speaker made a feeling appeal for the drunkards' wives and children, and deprecated the drinking system. She was loudly applauded from time to time.

The Bev J. Crowes seconded the resolution. In doing so he animadverted upon an article that appeared in the Globe on Saturday evening, hinting that it was inspired by a gentleman behind the editor's chair, who occupies a prominent position in the Sydenham Licensing Committee. The speaker alluded to tne appropriateness of an undertaker applying for a publican's lioense. The resolution was carried, with one dissentient.

Mr Fasten proposed—" That a Committee | be formed at once to take action in opposing j attempts to plant public-houses in quiet i neighbourhoods, with power to solicit subscriptions, and to employ counsel in opposing said public-houses on licensing days, also to organise, so as to secure the return of men favourable to sobriety and morality at the next election, and to do general temperance work in the Borough of Sydenham, the following to form the Committee with power to add to their number:—Mesdames Scott, Sherlock, Lodge, Lang, Christian, the Bevs Cooks, Crump, Taylor and Wilson, Messrs Brown, Webber, Forrester, Sherlock and Christian; Mrs Lodge, Secretary, pro tern." The mover delivered a fervid address, wbioh was loudly applauded. Mr John Lee, in the Absence of the Rev Mr Taylor, seoonded the motion. In the oourse of liis speech he suggested that an Act should bo passed to disfranchise the men who would not trouble themselves to vote at elections. He was- frequently applauded, and caused much amusement by his inability to remem- j ber that his remarks should be addressed to "ladies" as well as gentlemen. Towards the olose of his speech he was laudly hissed for saying that the publicans were licensed to kill. As he somewhat exceeded the limited time allotted to eaoh speaker, he had to be requested to sit down. He declined to do so, but the Chairman, without waiting for his peroration, put the resolution, and declared it to be carried unanimously. Mr Forrester moved—" That the Chairman be respectfully requested to ser.ri copies of the two first resolutions to each member of the Sydenham Liosnsing Committee." The speaker briefly supported the resolution. The Bev H. B. Cooks seconded the motion in a brief at\d practical speech. Mr Webber called upon Sergeant Brookes to say whethor another public-house was desiralde. i

Sergeant Brookes, who was loudly applauded, said that he was not allowed to take part in any political meetings. If the Chairman, as a J.P, would order him to speak, he would be happy to do so. The Chairman declined to order Sergeant Brookes to speak." Mr Graham spoke in favour of every man being allowed to do the best he could for himself. He hod always and would always vote for publio-houses." (Hisses.) Let those who opposed publio • houses vote against them. It would now be unjust to stop Mr Sorimsbaw from oarrjing out his intentions. (Hisses.) The resolution was put and carried by a unanimous vote.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the business of the meeting.