TEETOTALLERS IN THEIR CUPS

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 144, 10 November 1870, Page 3

TEETOTALLERS IN THEIR CUPS

(To the Editor oftlie Tv vpeka Times.) Sir, — The Total Abstinence Society here recently gave a soiree to members and their friends (admission 2s. tid.), which, on account of one or two contre-

temps connected therewith, deserves a passing notice. The best friends of total abstinence (from liquor) could not say that the meeting was successful. Hu far as t.16. material part was concer ed there was mAWj to be found fault with ; out the refreshment provider! for the assembled, spiritual or intellectual intelligences, Wv, wa3hy and unsatisfact beyond desertion. Several speakers got up each shingly striving to outdo the other m & ng to ex^ aust h patience of a realW good-natured" audience, mno ways pLSed to be over critical and were it n» for the irifcbi attempts of the pian^- to di ft awful gloom, induced by\i ie l ugubrioil3 speeches, by playing at lny^ a f cheerful airs (which, I regret\ 3a were frowned upon by several of thV a ithf u i\ Ido not think that even the pK pcc t of the dance after the semi-religious^-rt o f the programme was gone throu^hv^jj have induced them to stay it out m^ longer. Some vagabond boys outsiL marked their sense of disapproval of the proceedings by throwing crackers upon the roof of the building, which certainly enlivened, if it did not add to the harmony of affairs. At a rime when one of our legislators was on his legs, this nixisance arose to such a height that that gentleman was obstructed in the midst of an eloquent and stirring address, not on water works, which might be thought to be appropriate to the occasion, nor yet on electoral boundary lines, which might have been made an effective subject ; but while indulging himself and his too sanguine audience in a glowing picture of the good time coming when by his intervention, "if returned," all public houses would be put down by the "strong arm of the law." Well, after the customary and time-honoured illustrations of the drunken " rake's progress " had been done ample justice to, and after the usual pitiful flinj at the non-abstaining portion of the community, varied in one instance by a plain intimation wh =re the aforesaid non-abstainers nvght expect to %o to when they departed this "beery" life, the soiree came to an end ; but here is what I regret to have to draw your attention to. The majority of the people who came to the soiree did so v ider the impression that they were to have a dance after the speechifying part of the business was over, and in this idea they were encouraged by certain members of the committee. A minority of two members of that body, however, dissented from the views of the majority, holding that dancing was sinful. Of course they had a perfect ri oo r ht to hold what views they pleased on this subject, provided they did not attempt to thrust their opinions down other people's throats. Not content with simply reaordirg thsir dissent, they drew an affecting picture of tho da.nger to female virtue arising from meetings for the exercise of this sinful accomplishment. Sir, it is to protest against the tone of these men, and the language they made use of in the presence of ladies, as their would-be champions, that I trouble you in this matter. I am free to say that no greater offence against good taste and morality could well be perpetrated in discussing the evils of promiscuous dancing, taking into account the language which those gentlemen employed. Notwithstanding the virulent opposition, and the threats of all nrnnnar ( >f pains and penalties m the future, the aauoero n.ui <* very pleas-wit and harmless night's amusement. — I am, &c, Tantan.