Temperance Demonstration.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume X, Issue 2353, 14 April 1891, Page 3

Temperance Demonstration.

Never m the history of the cause of temperance m Ashburton has a more successful demonstration been held m the town than was held yesterday. It was from the Women's Christian Temperance Union that the idea of the children's demonstration of yesterday emanated, and there can be no two opinions of the success of the gathering. The Ashburton branch of the Union has m Mrs Bull a lady possessed of a wonderful faculty ior organisation, and the value of such ? leader was shewn at every point. This lady had obtained the signatures of all the principal tradesmen and merchants to a requisition, m response to which a half holiday had been proclaimed by the Mayor, Mr Hugo Friedlander, and m terms of his proclamation nearly every place of business m the town was closed. This, itself is a notable fact. Numbers of temperance demonstrations have been held m Ashburton ; but never one has yet been considered of sufficient importanca to warrant the granting of a public half holiday. Observers of the times will be able to say whether this is an indication that temperance notions are beginning to take hold of the public mind. At all events, the gathering was a great success. About two o'clock the children gathered at the Railway Bridge, to the number of about six hundred. They came from every part of the district. Wakanui, Elgin, Newlands, and Dromore were represented; Tinwald, Willowby, and Flemington were there m force ; and nearly every child m the town (and all the Sunday schools sent detachments) was there m holiday attire and carrying his little banner. The Jflemington contingent was, perhaps, the most ttriking m the great gathering of young people. There were over sixty m all from the cheese and butter centre, and from the number of adults from that district that were to be seen m town, it is to be surmised that but few of the population were left at home. The means adopted lor bringing the Flemington hopefuls to the gathering were of the heartiest, if not the most ornate and fashionable. Thirty-four of them were crowded into Mr Goorgs Osborne's huge four-wheeled waggon, moved by a three-horse team, that answered to the whip of Mr Tom Addis, and if the travelling was not fast, the way could not have been long, if the joyous songs of youthful voices have .any effect m shortening a journey. The procession, marshalled by Mr W. C. Davis, and headed by the Ashburton Band, proceeded up East Street, crossing to the Domain, where a halt was made on the cricket ground, and Mr .T. W. Sawle acted as chairman. Quite 2000 people, young and old, clustered round the small platform, and the crowd with the banners and b+nnerets made a most imposing scene. Among the banners displayed, was the handsome emblem of the Sydenham Prohibition League—a large banner m blue and gold with gold fiinge and finely mounted ; the banner of the Juvenile Temple (No. 21 j—an azure blue centre on a dark ground with gold cord fringe and tassels ; another blue silk banner belonging to the temple ; and the banner of the Star of East Lodge, blue silk with golden emblems The latter was presented to his Lodge by Mr Grunt, one of its _ past officers, and the banner pole was finished with the emblems of the order--cross, heart, and anchor - cut from a solid plate of metal and electroplated. The Temple banners were presented by Sister Edwards. Mr J. W. Sawle said they had that day taken up the right position. That great ■gathering was assembled m the belief that m a temperate population the homes were happier and brighter, and the people more prosperous than when intemperance was the rule. They were assembled to give effect to the principles of temperance, and if those principle* •were to become the guiding principles of the young race, intemperance would aoon be driven from the land. Roy, A. M. Beattie expressed hio pleasure ab the large gathering before him, and «aid if that sort of thing were to continue there would be nc drunkenness afc> all among the next generation. The speaker then went on to urge the little ones to devote their lives to the service of God, Who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hath perfected praise. He then asked them to join him m sinking the hymn " Come to Jesus." Rev. A Blake spoke shortly on the victory that had been gained m Sydenham, and denied chat m closing the hotels there was any coercion or undue force used. Eev. J. N. Buttle, who represented the W.C.T.U., said he had heard that the Uiotelkeepers had keen very anxious to learn on Friday night what was the result of the Sydenham election, but they could have been no more anxious than the temperance people were, and now that the victory was won—one that the whole temperance cause throughout the colony rejoiced m, he asked for three cheers for Sydenham, which were heartily given Mr Watkins, Flemington, spoke at some length, and delivered a racy address, full of well told anecdote, that caused much amusement and laughter. He dealt chiefly with the bad social effect upon the community of over indulgence m intoxicating liquor. Mr J. Knott was the aat speaker, and n the course of his address he attacked the legality of the last licensing election an Ashbarton, which, he said, having taken place m February instead of m May was contrary to the Act, and therefore anything the Licensing Committee did would be illegal, and any liquor Bold under the licenses they granted would be illegally sold. Afihburton, twvever, was not yet ripe for prohibition, aud h@ did not believe the temperance people would 4o anything m this matter. Things would be allowed to remain as they were; imfc this procession was only the beginning of a movement similar to what had ended is so triumphant a success m Sydenham. , , , After Rev Mr Cocker had shortly spoken the Doxoiogy was sung, and the gathering then dispersed to the tea grounds.

After the address tea was served under the trees beside the pavilion, and full justice was done by young and old to die good things, an efficient staff of stewardesses attending the wants of the crowd. '