Extracts.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 58, 12 September 1844, Page 4

Extracts.

WINE versus WATER. GREAT ANTI TEMPERANCE MEETING, (From the Comic Almanack) , A highly respectable meeting of some of the most influential Wines, Beers, and Spirits, was held for the purpose of considering the best means of opposing the Temperance Movement. Among those on the platform we particularly noticed Port, Sherry, Claret; while at the lower end of the room were Cape, Marsailles, and a deputation from the British Wines, who were represented by the Two-and. Twopenny Sparkling Champagne, more familiarly known as the " Genuine Walker." Most of the principal Wines wore the silver collars of the order to which they respectively belonged; and Port haviug been unanimously voted into the chair, the business of the meeting was opened by Cork-screw, in a concise but pointed manner. Champagne was the first to rise, in a state of great effervescence. He declared that he was frothing over with pure indignation at the idea of wine being excluded from the social board ; and indeed he found it impossible to preserve the coolness which ought to belong to him—He Was not one to keep anything long bottled up—(" Hear," and a laugh)—indeed, when he once let loose, out it must all come ; and he did say, that the temperance movement was playing Old Gooseberry with him in every direction—(Cries of Shame 1' from the Genuine Walker.^) Claret said that he did not often get into a state of fermentation, but on this occasion he did feel his natural smoothness forsaking him.— He begged leave to propose the following resolution :—f* That the substitution of water for wine is likely to dissolve all social ties, and is calculated to do material iujury to the constitution. Rum rose, he said, for the purpose of Opposing this resolution, which he thought Of too sweeping a character. He (Rum) so far from wishing to get rid of water altogether, was always happy to meet it on equal terms ; and he knew that he (Rum,), as well as may of his friends around him, had derived a good deal of their influence from being mixed up with water, and going as it were half-way which there could be no objection to. Gin begged leave to differ from the honourable spirit that had just sat down, and who was so unaccustomed to be on his legs at all, that it was not surprising he should have failed to make a respectable stand on the present occasion.—Cries of '« Otderl"—He (Gin) had no wish to create confusion. —(Ironical cheering from Marsaila.) —He understood the meaning of that cheer, and would certainly confess

that the honourable beverage—for he could not use the strong term of wine (A laugh). .wat not likely to create confusion in any quarter. No ; he (the honourable beverage) was not strong enough for that—(Renewed laughter.)—He (Gin) had, perhaps suffered more from water than all the other wines and spirits whom he now saw before him put together. His reputation had been materially hurt by it; and he was strongly of opinion that the only thing to be done with water was to throw it overboard (Hear,

hear ) A French Wine, whose name we could ...not learn, let something drop, but we were unable to catch it.

Cape now orse, but was immediately coughed down in a very unceremonious manner, The thanks of the meeting having been voted to Port for his able conduct in the decanter, the meeting separated ; but not until a committee had been chosen, consisting Oi 8 do?en of wine and a gallon of beer, with power to ado! (o their numbej either by water or otherwise.