TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 322, 7 February 1844, Page 3

TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

On Wednesday last, a deputation from the Port Nicholson Total Abstinence Society waited upon his Excellency Capt. R. Fitzroy, R.N. and presented the following Memorial, signed by about 60 members of the Society. To His Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Esquire, Captain in Her Majesty's Navy, Vice Admiral, and Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, and its Dependencies, &c, &c. • We, whose names are immediately undersigned, being total abstainers from all intoxicating drinks, and members of the Port Nicholson Abstinence Society, are deeply concerned at the widely extended and increasing prevalence of intemperance, and believing it to be one cause of the distress which now exists, and that it is also displeasing to God, feel it our duty. to use our utmost endeavours for its suppression. That \6 this end, we have for some time past been devoting our attention to the dissemination of the principles of Total Abstinence from all intoxicating drinks; but our efforts have not been so successful as we could have wished, owing to the want of a suitable building in which to hold ou r meeting 3 • Relying on your Excellency's well known liberality, we feel emboldened to petition, your Excellency, to. grant the Society, of

which we form a part, a suitable site .of land on which to erect a Temperance Hall ; in order that we may be the better able to accomplish what is in our hearts, viz. — the suppression of intemperance.

We, the undersigned inhabitants of Wellington, although not members of the aforesaid Society, yet believing that the granting the prayer of the above Memorial will prove beneficial to the Colony, cordially affix our names. Signed by a number of the merchants and residents of Wellington. His Excellency, after a few remarks on the benefits conferred«on the community by similar societies, returned the following answer :—: — January 31st, 1844. Gentlemen, — I have received your petition to be allowed a site of land on which to erect a Temperance Hall, and I am happy to be able to comply with your very proper and reasonable request. There can be no doubt that total abstinence from intoxicating liquors has been beneficial, and that although not necessary for all temperaments and constitutions, it has been highly advantageous to thousands. I am, Gentleman, Your faithful servant, Robert Fitzroy, Governor. To the members of the Total Abstinence Society, Wellington.

His Excellency then requested a portion of the deputation to meet him on Thursday, to proceed to the different pieces of public reserve, in order that he might be able to give them a suitable site for the purpose they required, and the result has been that they have obtained a site close to the piece granted to the Benevolent Order" of Odd Fellows. It is hoped that ere long, that Te Aro will be graced by the erection, not only of the Hall of this Society, but also with the Hall of the Order above mentioned.