A. Burton Esq., president; T. B. Brett, treasurer; S. Putland, jun. and J. Davis, secretaries.
The Temperance Hall Established.
A formal opening of the new room in Norman road, took place on Tuesday the 14th of May, by a public tea-meeting, at which 130 persons were present. The hall was profusely decorated and illuminated, and after the tea had been cleared away, the company was augmented to the number of over 300. Mr. Thos. Putland read the proposed rules of the Temperance Society, from which it appeared that the room would be open to any teetotaller or non-teetotaller on payment of 1d. per week, coffee was to be provided at 1d. per cup, and bread-and-butter at a low price. Daily papers and other literature would also be placed in the room. Addresses were given by the Rev. A. Reed, Mr. W. Fitch (of Brighton), Mr. Woods (also of Brighton), the Rev. J. Doxey (of Edmonton) and Mr. Ranger (of Northiam). The meeting was prolonged to a late hour and was very enthusiastic.
Another Formal Opening – this time as the “Workingman’s Reading-room” took place in the Norman-road Temperance Hall on the 28th of May, when it was stated that fifty persons had joined the association. The room was to be open to any working man from 6 till 10 in the evening on payment of 1d. per week.
An Address on Total Abstinence was delivered in the new room on the 10th of June to the St. Leonards Band of Hope (chiefly conducted by Mr. Beagley) by the popular Temperance advocate, the Rev. J. B. Smythe, of Dublin. Another address by the same gentleman and in the same place was given on the following evening to a crowded meeting composed mainly of working men and women. The Rev. Dr. Crosse occupied the chair, and in a brief opening address expressed his sympathy with the movement.
The Rev. J. B. Smythe again held forth in the St. Leonards Teperance(sic) Hall on the 8th and 9th of August to crowded audiences, his powers of oratory being such as to call forth great applause.
“England’s Besetting Sin” was the title of a temperance lecture at the same place on the 24th of September, delivered by the Rev. J. Fleetwood, of Tunbridge Wells. Great attention was paid to the lecturer’s arguments by a large audience.
“How to Secure Good Times” was the burden of a lecture delivered in the same Hall on the 20th of November by Mr. J. Hilton, of Brighton. His remarks were both humorous and effective. It may be here mentioned that in connection with this society an out-door coffee stand has taken up its position and is much patronized by flymen and workmen. It was presented to the society, through Mr. Beagley, by Miss Hanbury, a St. Leonards visitor.
