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The New Zealand Evangelist

Annual Meeting of the Total Abstinence Society.—

Annual Meeting of the Total Abstinence Society.—

On the Evening of the 3rd ult. the Annual Meeting of the Port Nicholson Total Abstinence Society was held in the Congregational Chapel, Kumutoto. The Rev. John Inglis presided. The Report was read by the Secretary Mr. Hinchcliffe and page 141 interesting and impressive addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Messrs. Woodward, Green, and Bennet. It appeared, from the statements made in the report and by the speakers, that the Total Abstinence question continues to engage no small amount of public interest in Great Britain, Ireland, the British Colonies, and in America. The Committee had done something during the past year in this place, and the principle is evidently gaining ground among the more intelligent portion of the community; still from various reasons not so much had been done as could have been wished; but they hope that during the coming year more vigorous and successful efforts will be made. Intemperance is one of the most formidable evils in the settlement [sic: .] There are upwards of twenty public houses in this district, some of which do a great amount of business. The number of accidents and the loss of life occasioned by drinking are truly distressing. The importance of Total Abstinence to the Young—the duty of parents joining the Society for the sake of their children,—and the deceptive, because often slow, silent, but sure progress of intemperance— were fully enlarged upon by the speakers. The Society contains about 100 members.—The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing year. President, Mr. J. Woodward; Secretary, Mr. C. Hinchcliffe; Treasurer, Mr. J. Stoddart. Committee Rev Messrs. Inglis and Green, Messrs. Paterson, Bould, Bennet, Bradshaw, Raine, and Spiers.