COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4399, 18 December 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

COUNTRY NEWS.

TE ARAL At an open lodge meeting of Good Templars on Tuesday, the 7thDecember, at II o'clock a.m., the members of the above lodge had a gala day, when several of the fraternity from Port Albert attended, and a large number of the general public availed themselves of the invitation given, and joined in the sports and tea-drinking with evident pleasure ; in fact, it was one of the largest gatherings that has taken place on any occasion in this district, and when I state that the Right Rev. Bishop Cowie was present, and took part in the entertainment, and also the Rev. A. R. Tomlinson, M.A., the Bishop's chaplain, no one can doubt but that the whole affair was a grand success. The sports commenced with tilting at the ring, when A. Cubis was the declared winner. He rode Mr. Morris's horse, which has carried the winner on several occasions, and appeared to completely understand the duty. It is needless to observe that a well-trained horse is half the battle in a tilting match. In the trotting match D. Moir's horse was first, ridden by A. Cubis, and R. Moir's second, ridden by the owner. There were various other games and matches, which attracted considerable attention, and caused a little betting. Early in tho afternoon the musical part of the entertainment was commenced, and carried out in the chapel, the arrangements for which were most complete. On the motion of Mr. Haseldeu, seconded by Mr. Penman, Hie Lordship was unanimously voted to the chair. On taking the chair, the Bishop said that, though not a Good Templar himself, he cordially sympathised with the members of the Order, and appreciated the good they were doing. No body of men in the province were more interested in their success than that which he represented, —the clergy of the Church of England. A branch of the Church Temperance Association had recently been established in Auckland, of which he was President. Personally he took the greatest interest in the work of all associations whose object was the suppression of drunkenness and the promotion of temperance. In the old country, as rector of a town parish, and as curate of a country parish, he had seen the necessity of such associations. All thinking men who cared for the well-being of their fellow-men must approve of the principles of the Good Templars, though all were not convinced that it was their duty to become pledged to total abstinence. The Bishop said he had been a total abstainer for a definite time, when it was necessary for him. to be one in order to induce the drinking men of a certain regiment to take the pledge, and he would of course take the pledge again, if he considered it his duty to do so. All Temperance Societies had much to encourage them in their work. Fifty years ago it was thought no disgrace for an educated man to be drunk, but the Bishop had never seen a man drunk in what was called " society," nor had he, in eight years' experience with the army, seen an officer drunk at the mess-table. This improved state of things was greatly to be attributed to the influence of the Queen, who, from the beginning of her reign, had, by her own example, and by every means in her power, elevated the tone of society. Her Majesty had recently become the patroness of a Temperance Society. At a later period of the afternoon, the Bishop deprecated such comparisons as he had heard drawn between the effect of preaching the Gospel and of the Good Templar movement in checking drunkkenness. Whilst Good Templars warned men to cease to do evil and learn to do well in this matter, whilst they gave the drunkard -encouragement to become temperate, whilst they urged on all the duty of abstinence from permitted indulgences for the benefit of their fellow-men, they were so far doing the work of preachers of the Gospel. The Bishop called upon all non-abstainers to help tho Temperance cause, by discouraging " shouting," and on all women to aid it by providing a plentiful supply of good drinking water in their houses, so that travellers might not have to carry a flask to render harmless or palatable the brakish liquid that was sometimes offered to them. His Lordship was was much applauded during the delivery of his speech.—After taking his seat, the Bishop called on Mr. Farrand, who read a prologue, which caused considerable amusement.—Choir, glee, "Drink to me only with thine eyes."—Mr. Hartnell then spoke. —Choir, " Believe me if all those endearing young charms." Mr. Sharp, recitation (original).—Mr. Elliott, speech, during which he caused some merriment, by warning the Bishop that he was in a dangerous position, and hoped that he would allow himself to be initiated that night. (Great cheering from the Good Templars.) He also warned them not to support any candidate at the coming election but the one who coincided with their views regarding the accursed drink. (Cheers.) — Reading, Mr. Shepherd; song, "Annie of the Vale." —Mr. Haselden spoke well and very effectively, amidst much applause. He considered we were highly favoured by the presence of one of the brightest ornaments of the Church to which he belonged, viz., his Lordship Bishop Cowie. He said he was of opinion that St. Paul would have advised tincture of rhubarb for his stomach's sake if he hadhad any idea that £130,000,000 wasexpended for wines, &c, at the present time. He also made the startling observation that all the champagne made in France could easily be consumed in either Paris, New York, London, or St. Petersburgh, leaving the company to guess what the aham champagne was made of, and as duelling, slavery, bullbaiting, cock-fighting, &c, had been put down, why not drunkenness? He hoped they would have the honour of His Lordship becoming a member that night. (Cheers.) —Mr. Penman said that every member admitted added strength to the cause. He also gave the decision of authority as to the way in which they ought to conduct themselves. They were not a loose set and kept bad hours; they were not allowed to play billiards in rum shops, or join in playing cards or gamee of chance in drinking shops ;—these were violations of the pledge. A smoker, by the narcotic of tobacco, deadens hunger for a while, and a drinker by the use of spirits deadens fatigue, but neither were necessary.—Mr. Tomunson hoped he would not be impounded that night and made a Good Templar of. He was glad to see and join any social gathering for the suppression of intemperance. The Church of England Temperance Society wan, he considered, more liberal. (N0.n0.) No? Well, he should say, question? (Loud laughter.) He hoped they would take what they had been used to, and trusted that Government weuld pnt an end to the manufacture and sale et all toe vile ef mta

sold in-the bash. He-sympathised with I them alL—Mr. Gubb made a speech . in favour of Mr. J. Shepherd, as member for .Rodney. He would say nothing of any* j other candidates.—Mr. _ Milstead (song), ' "CushlaJMachree." Choir (glee), "Home, sweet Home."—Mr. Penman proposed a vote of thanks to their worthy chairman. — Mr. Milstead seconded the motion in a remarkably neat speech, and said that they now numbered sixty members.—Mr. Hasel- " den called for more than thanks ; he wanted cheers.—Three cheers, and one more, were then heartily given.—His Lordship duly returned thanks.—During some part of the evening, Mr. Perkins favoured the company with, some well-executed pieces on the harmonium.—Tea was then placed on the table, and demolished with a will.—At about six o'clock the Bishop, aided by the Rev. A. It. Tomlinson, conducted service in the chapel, which was quite full. His Lordship took ' his text from Ist Corinthians, chap. 8, 13 v.: " Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." At the close of the service a collection was made in aid of the Home Mission. The amusements did not terminate till the morning, dancing being indulged in by the young folks in Mr. Farrand's old store. Great credit is due to the officers of the Order for the very efficient manner in which ] the proceedings were carried out. A grand lodge meeting is about to take place at Taranaki some time in January. The lodge for this district is about electing a representative for the grand sessions to be held at Taranaki. It is desirable that the W.F.S., Brother Milstead, should represent them at those sessions, not only as an - educated man, but also as one of the brotherhood who has the welfare of the good cause so much at heart, and whose energetic < action for the increase of Good Templarism I has been exemplified. Brother Penman is also named as a fit and proper person for the office, but his extensive business and his ecclesiastical duties stand so prominently forward as to be an insurmountable barrier ! to bis properly carrying out the duties of the position.—[Own Correspondent.] J