GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9030, 17 April 1888, Page 3

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION.

, ■ .""» Tiie fifth anniversary of the Gospel Temperance Mission was celebrated last evening by a soiree in Robson's Rooms. There was a large and representative attendance, among thoso present being the following clergymen :—Revs. Best, Ward, Bray, Smallfield, Miller, Dutton, Salter, C. H. Garland, and J. Chew. Mr. Withy, M.H.R., was also present. After tea the President (Mr.. J. T. Garlick) took the chair. A number of apologies were received from various clergymen and laymen unable to be present through previous engagements, among them being Revs. G. B. Monro, Dukes, and T. Spurgeon, Dr. Kenderdine, D. Ooldie, M.H.R., and others. The proceedings opened by the singing of a hymn, after which the Rev. Mr; Ward engaged in prayer. The Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. R. Cook) read the annual report, which recounted the work done during the year in the various churches and districts. Deputations had also visited the following country districts : — Waiuku, Waipipi, Wairoa South, Pukekohe, Thames, Huntley, Waiorongomai, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Kingsland, Ngaruawahia, Panmure, Otahuhu, Avondale, and Waipu. The Mount Albert branch had been successful, 102 pledges being taken during the year, which told at the late election for temperance. The Newton branch sustained a great loss when Mr. Edwin Wood left for England. The secretaries of various country branches had failed to send in their reports in time for insertion in this report, but they had energetic workers at Opotiki, Waikato, Onehunga, Thames, and Northern districts. They had held 19 meetings; and the total number of pledges taken during the year numbered 1014, independent of 400 native pledges taken at Opotiki; obtained through the efforts of their own members, and without the aid of temperance orators from the old country, who greatly assisted in former years. Amongst tho lady workers, Mrs. Davies had rendered valuable services at the meetings, and in visiting those who had signed the pledge. The Treasurer (Mr. Fry) read the statement of accounts. It showed income £101 17s Bd, and expenditure same amount, less 14s 10d ; assets, office furniture, £20. The Rev. C. H. Oakland moved, and Mr. With 11. R.,seconded, theadoptionof the report in excellent speeches. They expressed their solemn conviction that notwithstanding temporary defeats, the temperance cause would ultimately bo victorious, as its missicn was "for God and humanity." The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. The Rev. J. Chew, in an earnest speech, moved the list of officers for the ensuing year, and the nominations were seconded by Mr. Hemery, in a speech of some length, in which he congratulated the meeting on Its representative character, every Protestant denomination being represented. The nominations were as follows :—

Prosident, Mr. J. Tonson Garlick: Vice-Presi-dents, Itov. C. H. Garland and Rev. James Chew; Treasurer, Mr. R. Fry ; Gonoral Conncil, Revs. J. Adams, R. Bavin, E. Best, Thomas Bray, J. Chow, J. Dukes, F. B. Dnttnii, 0. H. Garland, J. D. Gilmore, T. llamor, R. F. Macnicol, Peter Mason, 11. W. J. Miller, A. J. Smith, Thomas Spurgeon, B. L. Thomas, C. E. Ward, It. S. West, Drs. Kenderdino and A. O. Knight, Messrs. J. Adams, J. Aldridpo, S. J. Ainbury, F. Battley, J. Buchanan, T. Buddie, A. C. Cauehey, W. R. Cook, W. Crosher, A. G. Daniels, F. G. Kwington, R. French, D. Goldie, M.H.R., G. Grogory, J. H. Harrop, C. W, Heniery, 0. G. Hill. J. W. James, O. B. IJUy, C. K. Madden, R. Nen.l, J. Newman, C. B. Stone, T. L. Wilcock, E. Withy, M.H.K., E. Wood.

The Chairman stated that the appointment of the secretary lay by the rules with the Council of the association, but he could not allow the opportunity to pass without expressing his sense of the value of the services rendered by Mr. Cook during the past year. Mr. YViloock moved, and the Rev. Mr. Miller (Onehunga) seconded the following resolution, "That this meeting wishes to place on record their warm appreciation of the services rendered to the Gospel Temperance Mission by the hon. secretary (Mr. W. R. Cook) during the past year, and strongly urges the Council to invite him to fill the same office for tho current year." The resolution wrb carried by acclamation. Mr. Cook made n humourous yet appropriate reply, acknowledging the services rendered by the president, by Mr. Crosher, and Mr. and Mrs. Brame and family. The departure of the latter from Auckland he regretted, as they had done good work for the temperance cause. Mr. C. B. Stone, at this stage, made a presentation of a small purse ot sovereigns bo Mr. Brame. It was the gift of some friends in the Tabernacle, other Christian Churches, and friends of the temperance cause, who wished him and his family Godspeed in the colony of Queensland, to which he was going. Mr. TiiK.MAifc (on behalf of the Auckland Temperance Society) also bore testimony to Mr. Brame's services and those connected with him. A email purse of sovereigns awaited his acceptance from that society. Mr. Biiamk made a feeling and eloquent reply on behalf of himself and family. He was sorry to leave Auckland, but necessity had no law, and after 25 years' labour he was going to seek his bread elsewhere.

The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. Ryan, sang some choice selections during the evening. The proceedings closed with the Benediction.