PROHIBITION CONTEST IN TIMARU.

Western Star, Issue 1569, 10 June 1891, Page 2

PROHIBITION CONTEST IN TIMARU.

[com muxicated] Groat cxcitmeut prevailed for sometime preceding the Licensing election in Tunaru and a furious newspaper war was carried on between the contending parties. On I lie Monday week precedin'* tbo election a meeting was called, under the presidency of the Mayor, open lo both parties. Only the prohibitionists, however, took the platform, the opposite aide, failing to put in an appearance. Hearing of the prohibition victories in Oaimni and the Moeraki Districts which follows the advocacy of Mr R Tennyson •‘Smith, the English temperance orator, who ia at present making a tour of (lie colony, the prohibitionists wired to secure his service?-. Owing to overwork. lie was, however, unable to accept an engagement until Iho Friday proceeding the election. Crowded houses such as have never before greeted a. temperance lecturer in Timaru gathered night after night, and the C.unoiitlco was compelled to make a charge to a portion of the Theatre in order to avoid a crush. On the evening of the declaration of the poll gro £ excitement prevailed, and, as the meeting was packed whh friends of the temperance party, considerable disappointment was felt at the defeat of the prohibition candidates. Several appropriate and stirring speeches wore given by Mr Tennyson Smith, Dev. \V. Gillies, Rev. W -I. Williams, and Mr T. W. Glover. On the last evening of the mission there was an entertainment consisting of an “ Evening with tho Poets” hy Mr Tennyson Smith assi-ded by local musicians. Although all parts of the Theatre wore charged for, it was packed as it hid never been he tore, and Mr Smith's vivid rendering of poems, humorous, and sad, was immensely appreciated. On Monday evening last a mooting of workers was called lo inaugurate the Prohibition Association when Mr E. Tennyson Smith read extracts from his p>per on *‘The present position and future, prospects of the Temperance movement in New Zealand.” Almost, the whole of the audience gave in their names as members. Mr Smith appealed to tho audience to clear off the. election expenses and started the collection wi'h a handsome donation which resulted in a balance being left in the hands of the Treasurer.