TEMPERANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7789, 8 November 1886, Page 11

TEMPERANCE.

TnE annual musical and elocutionary contest in connection with the Band of Hope Union began on October S in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, and concluded on the 12th October in St. James' Hall.

The well-known temperance cantata, 11 The Rescue of Harry Gray," was sung on the 15th October at St. James' Hall, by the Snnday-school choir of St. James' Presbyterian Church, under the conductorship of Mr. J. H. Edmonds. There was a large attendance of the general public. The connecting narrative was read by Mr. J. J. Boak, who is well known as an elocutionist Of considerable talent.

On Oct. IS Mr. Matthew Burnett gave his farewell address in the Grafton Koad \Tesleyan Church. The Rev. A. Reid presided. A number of the Victoria Lodge of Good Templars were present in regalia. Daring the meeting a number of Sankey's hymns were sung, accompanied on the organ by Mr. 'White, the organist of the church. The Rev. A, Reid gave some interesting reminiscences of his early work amongst the Maoris. Mr. Burnett, after a brief introduction, hung up in his portrait gallery, "Big Ben," and "Little John," pictures from real life, of men who had been won from drink and vice, through his evangelic and temperance work on the Ballarat goldhelds. Mri Burnett referred with gratitude to the favourable notices of the Press. It was stated that about six hundred had signed the pledge during the mission. The meeting closed with singing and prayer. Mr. Burnett on October IS paid a visit to the railway workshops at Newmarket, Mr. Elliott presided. He proceeded to the Thames next day, and after a few days' work there, he goes on to Te Aroha and the Waikato, and he will then go on to the Lake country, returning again to Auckland.

The Auckland Total Abstinence Society held its annual meeting on the 23rd October, in the Temperance Hall. There was not a large attendance. The president, Mr. Joshua Robinson, occupied the chair, and alluded to the fact of this being the oldest temperance bociety in the city. The secretary read the report and balance-sheet, which, after some discussion, were adopted. The receipts from rents and subscriptions were £34 4s ; balance, October 1, 1885," £19 7s: total, £113 lis. The disbursements included— gas. £21 13s 6d ; rates, water, and license, £9 7s Id; insurance, repairs, &c, £36 Is 4rl ; sundries, £10 14s 2d; depreciation fund, £55 ; balance, September 30, 14s lid : total, £113 lis. Mr. Edwin Tremain was elected president for the ensuing year. Mr. F. Cherry was re-elected secretary and treasurer, bat intimated that he should probably withdraw from the office. Messrs. Carr, Cherry, Deeson, DixoD, Hampton, Jeune, Lye, Mewburn, Plummer, Stokes, and Hughes were elected a committee, with power to add to their number. A vote of thanks to the retiring president, secretary, and committee concluded the proceedings. On October 23 Mr. Matthew Burnett, the temperance lecturer, took the opportunity of the large concourse of Maoris attending the Native Land Court at the Thames, to address a large concourse. Mr. James Davis, the Court interpreter, attended by leave of Judge Brookfield, who also granted the use of the Court-room« A large number attended, both of men and women, and, after the close of the meeting, fifty-six took the blue ribbon pledge. The audience were deeply attentive, and frequently applauded.