ADULTERATED LIQUOR

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1873, 9 October 1874, Page 3

ADULTERATED LIQUOR

To the Editor of the Thames Advertiser. Sir,—After reading your report on the the inquest held on poor John Drew, and also the very fair remarks in your leader, I, in justice to myself and the public, feel called upon to speak, not in justification of myself,- because I feel guiltless of the gross insinuation made by one of the jury, thatlretail adulterated alcoholic liquors; but because I would remove any ■impression that outsiders might possibly have with regard to the cause of the unfortunate man's death. Many residents of the Thames whose honour is above dispute, are in tho habit daily, and havebeen for some considerable time, of partaking of rum and milk and other refreshments at my house, and the juryman referred to can ask their opinion as to the quality of the liquor I dispense, innce I have been connected with the business, now some years, I have not in any manner whatever adulterated the spirits or other condiments retailed by me. I purchase my goods from first-class importers in Auckland, and l am suro the best procurable are obtained by me. After I get them the only liquid or other matter mixed with them is pure spring water, and this only in sufficient quantity to reduce the spirit to the required strength. The medical man showed clearly in his evidence that tho apparent paracbx " physiologically dead " was only too true in the case of poor Drew shortly before his decease; in fact, that he was a " living dead man." So that Mr T. W. Gudgeon's remarks as a juryman were thoroughly uncalled for. The gentleman referred to by him, and whose memory is revered by all, had been under medical advice for many months before his death, and was in the daily habit of partaking of. rum and milk in my house for over eight months, and it does not show any spirit of christian charity in thus, as it were, casting a stone at him who is no more. In conclusion I would remark that I shall at. all times be happy to have any or all of whatsoever I retail analysed by sonio competent authority, and in the matter will give every assistance in my power,— I am, &c, Alexander Giintf.