ALMA TOTAL ABSTIENCE SOCIETY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1788, 6 November 1862, Page 3

ALMA TOTAL ABSTIENCE SOCIETY.

On Monday, this Society initiated the first of a series of country excursions, by the members I proceeding iu strong force to Johnsonville. where it was intended to have a social meeting and soiree for the enjoyment of the members and their friends. A b >oth had been erected on the grounds of Mr. Sim, connecting two large store houses t together, aud forming a hall capable of containing a-c .Jeast 200 persons, this was tastefully I decorated by boughs of the hawthorn in full bloom, and the magnificent flower of our native " Nikau ;" a beautiful paddock belonginirti Air. Sim, bail tlso been placid at the disposal of the Society for the day. At 10 a.m., a van decurated with flags, and drawn by three pj-verful horse*, passed through the town, in this \v>ra seitetl the bind of the Society, playing as they went some of the old aud favorite tuue-i, which we so love to hear, via., Cheer Boys Cheer, the RrA White and Blue, &e,; on reaching Kii VV\trruwarra, they were joined by a number of vehicles of every description, containing the friends from K:irori, and by the time the place of reud^z^'ou-s was reached, a goodly procession was formed, numbers of pedestrians having joined the original band on their way. As soon as the party arrived at Johnsonville, the sports of the day were tit once commenced. First in order cune the far famed game of cricket, and a in itch was soon m ule, twelve of the Wellin^tonia-is, beiii>r pitted against twentyfour of the Johns-mvilh; players. Some most excellent batting and fielding were exhibited throughout the gamu, which ended in the vict»ry being gained oy our townsmen. As it was quite impossible to resist the temptation of havms; a dance on the green sward, while such a bevy of fair ladies were present, a quadrille party wis so >n former], mid the services of the band being- called iutu active operation, dancing wis commenced, and kept up with great spirit throughout the day. Nor was the old g.ime cf ki.ss in the ring forgotten, for whether at the antipodes, or ai any other part of the glo.'ie, it nutters not, Young England will enjoy itself, and a ring being formed Dy th-* more juvenile portion of the assemblage, to it they went, and judging ; fro ai ap ; earauces, enjoyed themselves to tiieir ' hearts content. An itinerant hawker of toys, beintr on the grounds, our ears were soon assailed by the squeaking of trumpets, the blowing of tin whistles and the springing of those diminutive rattles, which are so much in requisition -at a country fair in our fatherland, and so thoroughly English was the scene, that it was difficult to realise t!ie fuel lh.it we were actually at Uie ailtipjjcs, 17,000 miles from our dear old home! At length it was unnouueed that tea was ready, and by the rush which immediately followed tne announcement, it w-is pietty evident that the assembled nviUituie were tolerably sharp set. On reaching the buoih, we found it already filled, the number oi visitors being so great, that not more than half could be aecoinm»dated, and were therefore compelled la wait a little longer, till at length, we were allowed to enter, aud in common with the rest, did ample justice to the good things provided Appetite was at length appease. l, and indeed from the excellent manner in which the whole affair was got up, it would have beeu impossible that it could be otherwise, as nothing was

vanting. The tea and cakes being of the iriosTT* jxcellent description, and every exertion was j rude by the friends at Juhusoimlle, to ensure ' ;he comfort of the visitors. Then came the Public Meeting, and the Booth, t though so large, was crowded almost to suffoca- ± ;ion. The Rev. H. W. Scott presided, and '. lome very effective addresess were delivered by l Messrs. Sim, Catt, Ttuemasi, Mr. Read, and « folley ; several 'i'eiD[jt:raiice Melodies were also c Jung by the leading members of the Society, ' ind at 8 p.m. the meetisig terminnte:! by the j * liaud playing the National Anthem, so that our j . fown and Kurori friends might ba enabled to i "ejioh their homes at a reasonable hour. | j After the conclusion of tha inoeting, several ( jf our friends \vlr.> residc.l iii the more inline < liate ceighb<)ui'!u)-jd, and were detennioeri to i ■ni\ke a day of it, commenced danuinsr, and 1 iept it up until 10 p.m. ; and in the course of ! ;he day a iniinber of -tdditional signatures were ' )btaiuud to the abstainers roll. Altogether the proceedings were highly sue- • usssful, ;itiil it bids fair for the f-uture progress , »f this Sjoiety, that ils members should have ; i>een iiist in the lield In provide the means for a. day of iunooent and temperate eujnment.