Campbelltown Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 7, 8 July 1895, Page 2

Campbelltown Notes

[FROM OUE OVTN CORKESr-ONDENT. ] The members of the Excelsior Lodge held their usual weekly meeting on Thursday evening last. A good number wore present, and a good meeting ensued, as it was the evening set apart for discussing Temperance political legislation. The subject was " The New Amendment Liquor Bill" which has been drafted by Mr A. S. Adams, of Dunedin, on behalf of the Temperance people. The E.D.T. of the lodge introduced the subject, and said that it had met with the approval of the Grand Lodge and many of the Conventions which had been held, and where the Bill has been greatly discussed. He further stated the Bill had a threefold object : Ist, To give localities the power to determine by vote whether the liquor traffic should be prohibited ; 2nd,- To make provision for prohibition being declared all over the colony if the vote being taken be of sufficient strength ; 3rd, That where the vote is in favour of continuing the license system the licensing committees may possess discretionary power to reduce the number of licenses issued. Some of the members thought that reduction ought to be resorted to, as they were of opinion that the Temperance party was of insufficient strength to carry prohibition. The reply was that the Temperance people in general had no confidence in " regulation." Thus, in preparing a Bill, they should repudiate that plan. The Temperance reformers were loyal, and they have no desire to take measures which were not in sympathy with the will of the people. Their effort is strictly to rule this matter by the power of the public vote. — It was proposed that the subject should again be discussed in a month's time, as probably at the Convention at Wellington it would be slightly revised. — The item on the syllabus for next meeting is to be a j " Brothers' surprise." The petition to ask the Minister of Lauds to acquire the Carnarvon Estate was sent away on Monday last, containing 101 signatures. Mr J. G. Wilson, M.H.R., has informed the committee here that the petition has been presented to the Minister of Lands, and that he has a favourable opinion of it and it will doubtlessly be secured. A very enjoyable social was held at Mr Glover's last Friday evening. Many were unable to attend through the inclement weather, but those present were heartily treated, and games, etc., were indulged in, and the social was brought to a close by a hearty good supper. The rain fell heavily all Friday night here, and on the following morning the country was flooded with water.