GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7303, 15 April 1885, Page 6

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The second annual meeting of the Gospel Temperance Mission (Blue Ribbon Army) was held in the Free Methodist Church, Pitt and, Vincent Streets, last night. The business was the receiving the annual report and balance-sheet for the past year, and the election of officers. The President, Rev. S. Macfarlane, occupied the chair, and the following gentlemen also occupied seatii on the dais :—Revs. J. K. Davis, C. Worboys, T. Spurgeon, W. S. Potter, and Messrs. J. Newman, E. Neal, R. Fry, J. Brame, W.J. Speight. The Secretary, Mr. Alfred Cox, read the report, from which we extract the following .:., The number of pledges taken during the year were about 6000, and to -this may be added ai»out 1003 children under the age of 14, Who have adopted the bit of blue by consent of their parents. The committee had considered the visitation of those who had aignod the pledge, and an active sub-committee had been appointed for the work. The pr clamation prohibiting the sale of liquor In the King County was referred to* The committee had, In conjunction with the N.Z. Alliance, entered Into the work, and appointed Mr. C. C. Davis to visit the King County, and obtain the signatures of the nativei to the poiiUon to the Governor, requesting him to prohibit for ever the introduction of the liquor traffic into illie King country. Mr. T. B. HiU and Graham Tawhalt assisted in the work and rendered valuable aid. A deputation waited upon His Excellency, and after a delay of three months the proclamation was issued by thu Government as they desired. The consecration service held at the opening of the year was referred to, and the week's mission in the Temperance Hall, and since twenty-seven public meetings had been held In the city and suburbs. In May a deputation "by the invitation of the Rev, W. Glttos" visited the Ksipara for a week, holding successful meetings, and. favourable reports had come to hand of the work since. ■ The event of , the year was Mr. R. J. Booth's mission to this city, and the members who had taken the pledge. "We cannot but think the success 'of the mission was largely due to earnest plodding work of the various temperance organisations in the past, together with the assistance of many ardent workers, and the valuable service* of the choir." The committee tendered their acknowledgments to all who ; rendered assistance In the mission. the success of the Army at the licensing elections was touched upon, and the gratulation felt at their " ticket" being carried without opposition. Circulars numbering 175 had been sent to the various school committees, urging the adoption of Dr. Richardson's Temperance Lesson Book in tne schools, and that they -might be examined upon it. Replies of a favourable character had been received. The committee drew attention to the small contributions made to the funds in comparison to the numbers. A high compliment was paid to the zeal of the President In the work. The report concluded by an earnest and forcible appeal on behalf of the mission.

In moving the adoption of the report, the Chairman said the Maori business was worth all the expenditure of labour it had upon it. To think that upon three millions of acres of land it is prohibited is enough to move a heart of stone. Carried.—Mr. S. Newman, Treasurer, read the statement of accounts as follows:— .-'-■..

Receipts.—Btlance from last year, £5 9s 7d; subscriptions and donations, £155 4s 8d ; guarantees, £29; Female Prison Brigade, £1; collections lit public meetings (Booth's mission, £376 3s lOd), £410 9s lid; pledge cards, &c., &V) 9s 8d; sale of hymn books, £24 7s Id: total, £630 lis 4d.

Expenditure.— and printing, £98 8s Id; theatre, halls, &c, . £116 115s sd; travelling expenses, £17 6s; stationer;, etc., £5 6s lid ; postage stamps and cards, £7 6s; ribbon, £7 8s 3d; telegrams, £3 7s 4d; freight and postage, 18s Id; expenses for Maocis,£l7 6s; hymn books and cards (Booth'.), £31 Os 8d; < •llectlcg plates, £1; Female Prison Brigade, £1; temperance demonstration, £2 ; - guarantees, £20 ; Mr. li. T. Booth, £150 ; social tea and photographs. £22 6s 2d; secretary, £111 ss; balance in hand, £23 8s 2d : total, £630 lis 4d.

Before adopting the balance-sheet, Mr. J. T. Garlick drew attention to £17 10s, proceeds of choir meeting, not being mentioned in the statement.— Secretary explained, and said it would. be specified in the printed reports. the motion of Mr. R. Neal, seconded by Rev. J. K. Davis, Rev. S. Macfarlane was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year.— the motion of Mr. J. Newman, seoonded by Mr. J. T. Garliok, Mr. R. Neal was elected Treasurer. —Mr. Alfred Cox was re-elected Secretary, on the motion of Rev. W. S. Potter, seconded by Mr. J. Newman.—The VicePresidents were then elected as follows :— Bevs. A. Reed, T. Spurgeon, T. McKenzie Eraser, R. Bavin, G. B. Munro,, J. K. Davis, C. Worboys, T. Adams, P. Mason, Dr. Kenderdine, Dr. A. O. Knight, Messrs. J. Bycroft, D. Goldie, J. Newman, F. Battley, F. Larkins, O. O. Davis.— The- following were elected the Central Committee :~ Revs. T. G. Carr, W. G. Parsonson, A McCallum, J. S. Hill, W. Gittos, T. Hamer, A. J. -Smith, H. Bull, J. Boothroyd, S. Griffith, J. W. J. Miller, Messrs. C. Bailey, J. Knott, R. French, J. Wiseman, R. Fry, E. Withy, R. H. Douse, J. Buchanan, J. Brame, C. G. Hill, J. Rendell, J. T. Garlick, C. B. Stone, E. C Carr, A..C. Caughey.—Mr. W. J. Speight, at the invitation of the Chairman, delivered a strong address upon temperance, referring to the Maoris, and the vested interests now acquired by holders of hotel property in the city.— was agreed, on the motion of • Mr. Newman, that the meeting should place on record its appreciation of the proclamation ii|*ued by the Governor over the King Country.— meeting terminated by the singing of the Doxology. • ' :