THE PROHIBITION POLL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1896, Page 4

THE PROHIBITION POLL.

Electors are no doubt fully aware by this time that two distinct: polls will bake place |on Friday next —one for the electioa of members of the House of Representatives, tbo other under the Alcoholic Sale Control j Act, 1893. The palls are entirely distinct ! from each other, and havo no connection in law or reason ; but agitation on the psrfc of the teetotal party forced a provision into the licensing law compelling the two votes to be taken on the one day, and the extreme section of the eama party ia novr doing its utmost to contuse the two issues, and in somo instances where there ia absolutely no difference whatever between the views and pledges of candidates for Parliament on the question of prohibition, aomo of the clever leaders of that party are endeavouring to manipulate the temperance vote ih favour of candidates whose election they tioeiro to assist. Every eelf-respecting elector will reseat being made uao of in such a way, and however ho may think fie to vote at) tbo local option poll, ho will exercue his vote for the election of members in favour of those candidates with whose views on general political questions ho ia in sympatby. With regard to the Local Option poll, there are two things which it \» important for every elector to seriously consider. First, whether he has a right to dictate to hia neighbour in a matter which come* plainly within tho sphere of private judgment. And Becoadly, whether the interests of temperance and public morality will bt served by putting an end to the open regulated sale of liquor, and driving the traffic into disreputable dens.

Apparently the advocates of prohibition anticipate that something will be wantid to take th« place of alcohol, for in a pamphleb entitled " New Zealand Alliance Voters' Guide," of which it is gaid 150,000 copies have been circulated

thrqughoub New Zealand, tho f^nT* significant passage occurs • " w'»k {n l ounce botbla ot eal volatile a hii* tWt bottle of ch!orody»e, an d a',l,, J «»«c, five-gram tablets of aatipyrin 1 } k* be .safely and profitably^S^p moat common ailments suggeatine ?. " ancTcasea of emergency requirL <> !| aid."' No more forcible cooS > tnia is required than that fi,, • p0( by tho following paragraph s» !m^ "Herald":--! c^rofi Masterton, an unfortunate woman r! o| Elizabeth Woods, was sentS T* sympathetic Bench to throo month*1 I S labour, on Wednesday, so »hat°hl'V? cured of the terrible habit Tho was found in a terrible condition JrtT) pawned all her belongings, even i* 1 boots, to procure the drug. Th e » was once in good circumstaßceg." " We do not hesitate to express cur h.i; 1 that the itandard of morality trill bslo* j and noi raised by adopting the cour le »hu the prohibitionists urge upon the nonJi Sumptuary law ß are no new thinl ),[ theyhare invariably aroused the antagL;' ef that elemeaC in human nature wh? leada men to seek after forbidden fri-f Tha youth who would never dream «! going in be a public house may ba temnu by the spirit of brarado into som Q afeJll, den whore he will be ruined body and g fi «i while the seasoned toper is cartain to fi j some means of gratifying hi« appetites!! matter how firmly a majority of three-fifth, may decide to cub off his tipple. We know, »f course, that it is perfecfclv idlo to press such viavrjs upon those who art benfcupon coorcivo measures. They have 1 completely persuaded themselves of th» righteousness of their cause and tho exDedi! ency of their methods that they regard with amazement, nob unmixed with euipicion everyona who refuses to subscribe to their creed ; nevertheless, we believe that the polling on Friday will show thai a very lartfe majority of the people are determined to maintain their freedom of action in this matter.

la coming to this decision the electors : will be greatly fortified by the eridence of : growing sobriety amon ff the population . which is furnished i» •• The New Zealand . Official Year Book, 1896," just issaod from the bureau of the Registrar General. With. 1 out the guidance of statistics at all, it mast i be sipparenfc to every obsorvanb person who i has mingled with his fellow men during ths , past 20 years, that drunkenness in New Zealand is a decaying vice. The groat : gathering of 20,000 citizens on Saturday ' lasb—happy, well-dressed and sober—is an ; object lesson, oft; repeated upon the many , gala days in Auckland, and it may well ba ' eet off against bko cases of dipsomaaiacal ; degradation which are occasionally met 1 with and furnish the awful examples over which prohibitionists thunder from the platform and through tho press. We ara aa much alivo l;o these evils as the prohibitionist), bub we still believe that drunkennes! will never become a serious vico among tha population of New Zealand. Gambling and those ether forme of immorality which are prevalent among the inhabitants of countries having ciimatea resembling our», are more likely to gain supremacy, and ths evidences of their development are already plainly stamped upon the statistical records of New Zsaland. The official year book fer 1596 shows that bhe consumption of alcoholic liquors in Now Zsaland has decreased during the pasb tea years as follows : — 1894 1685 | Gals. Oal«. ■, Spirits .. ... 440.205 607,810 Wine 97.93-1 149,800 Bear .. .. .. 5,019,973 4,824,489 | The raean population increased during fcha decenniuoi from 573,362 to 679,196 perions, or at tho rato of 16 71 per cent. The Registrar-General adds: 4tAb the sums time a comparison of the convictions.for drunkenness shows that excessive drinking was nofe no provaienb in 1894 as it was tea. years previously, and among , tbe; Neir' Zealand born population there is evidence} of less drunkenness than among pereoni who havo come to the colony from abroad." Although the propartion of New Zealand born population above fifteen years of «?e ts the total was 34 per cont. they only furnished 9.43 per cent, of the coavißtioni for drunkenness. Tho prison statistics for several yean back show bhe number of distinct prisoner* received into gaol after being convicted o! drunkenness to havo been as follows :— Yenr. Prisoners. 1885 .. ~. „ .. 1,200 18S6 ~ ... .. .. 1.077 ISB7 _ 1.028 1833 M 933 , 1539 . «. .. 802 1390 _. 803' 1891 .. .. G94 ISS2 .. .. „ .. 638 1893 . .. 619 1891 457 Upon feheae figures tho Registrar-General remarks : " Here the decrease proceeds rapidly and almost uniformly from year to year. It is truo that the option of a tine ie generally given to a person convicted of drunkenness, but there is nothing to show thnt the proportion ef fines for this ofl'ence has increased of late, bo that a fall iv tho number of distincb persona im* prieoned may be fairly accepted as evidenca of growing sobriety among the people. A comparison with the statistic of tha adjacent colonies bearing upon the sobriety of the population gives the following results : — CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS TEB Hl;Al>. Beer. Wine. Spirits. gal. gal. S*'« Victoria .. .. .. 19*36 l'Ol l'£* New South \S ralo3 .. 18-31 eSi W New Zealand .. .. 7*69 o*l4 05S AKRESTS FOB DRUNKENNESS IST PROPORTION TO POPULATION. New South Wales .. 17-50 per 1,038 Victoria 13-67 „ .. ■ New Zealand .. .. B*l6 ~ »

In reviewing the statistics of crime, th« Regieferar-General notes a satisfactory de< crease since ISS6 of 2952 percent, in tb« number of convicted prisoners and a reduction of 19%04 in the proportion to population. The proportion in New Zealand H 2S-78 per cont. per 10,000 of population, and in New South Wales 75 per 10,000. U ia also gratifying to find that while tfio Now Zealand born population overfiftflj"! years of age formed 34 per cent, of *»« total population above fifteen, New &*»' landers constituted only 21 pet cent.: oil«J total numbor received in gaols. A" RegisbrarGeneral deduces, however, troß bho classified tub of offences the foUovW significant opinion .—" Ths figures tend » show that the Now Zealander is not t teau] giron to drunkenness, and but »"*tlß ?°* dieted to deeda of violence. On jshe owj hand, he id more giren to thett «"• offences of a like nature. ibe Pr" poriion of New Zealand barn P. rlS°^ coriTicted of thoffe and deceit was in »J' 39 90 per cent., while for all prisoners fa* proportion was only 28"0S per cent.' If the conclusion arrived at by | Registrar-General with regard to the mow twiab in the character of the l»w-bre»K"»B New Zsal&nders ia a sound one, »f *~ M of the enactment of prohibition WOBJ? "^ promote a growing vice in the euo Buppre«B one which is rapidly 0B wane. The limitation placed by law jh> the increase of public-houses » airew effecting its intended purpose, f d proportion to tho population » v bably (smaller than any other prohibition country in tho worl(£ 1894-95 the number of licensed » in counties was 893, and in making together J. 579, being a decrea 140 upon the number of houeoe »J* o£ For the same period the averse »nm persona to a houee insreasod trom w 416 in counties and from *"' d 458 in boroughs. The rerenae «* from licanße fees last year in cv amounted to £21,448, and in **M* ;£33,873. Tho epproxiroata »pi»«

' t tha Hconeed houaos «n the counties was °; S " £668.971, aaO the mm* for cer3ta f tho boroughs ab £155,993. There tar be £«n annual value of £108,691 for Tha Dlain lesson from th&se figures is nA New Zealand is already a country «n«icuous for its sobriety, and the con- ° Son of alcohol U rapidly declining gumption v Temperate habits are on the fin* footing of htl T Sue- For thi,, bhe prohibitionists S«ge tho substitution of a coercive law KSh an old adage, much cemmended fo ' it's applicability to Ihe affairs of daily Ufa which says that whon_ things are Joi»R well it is generally wise to leave them alone. ~.; ;, ....:..

By a flip ofth9 Psn an error occurred lR r re pnrt ot the floral fete laefe evening. Ut J. J. Holland (the Mayor of Auckland) was referred to as the es-Major. This is S ely a* error, for Mr Holland li itjll M aY or, '*nd holds the posmon until the iftb December, on which day Mr A. Boardman will be installed. The Mayor's farriS was prettily decorated bub JS was not for competition. Our Wellington correspondent wires • .•The BbippinK law of this colony has reached that, stats of advancement^ tuat other countries ere being guided by ib. 1 £w the English Board of Trade L asked the Government to forward it rnßioa of the Now Zealand enactment? in S branch ot labour, Bad ib is quite prcr bablo thab in the near future the .English ]aw will bo brought into conforaiisy with the New Zacland law."

A fire broke oub early last evoning in Sa-anson-atreot in the premises occupied by Mr J. K. Wiison, assayer. A fire had bsenlibin fcho furaaco and ibis suppoßed that the heab ignited the woodwork. The fire was discovered by Misa Alice Phillips, ff feose father, Mr Henry Phillips owns the property, and she gave the alarm. Chas. Smith, a member of the Salvage Corps, was passing at the time, and he extinguished the fire with some water before any damage wortb. speaking of was done. Bonnie Blue has been struck oub of tbo Auckland Cup, and Ladybird baa been withdrawn for the Steeplechase. The amount deposited ab the Thames Warden's office since Monday last was £183 Us Sd. Six apoci&l clainaa were applied for. Messrs Skinner and Son made a start yesterday with the building of the first annexe for the Aucklaad Exhibition. The annexe will be 60 z 25,

News from the New Hebrides Group is to the effect that haavy weather haa been experienced, gales of hurricane fury blowing for ffoeka at a stretch. In the Banks Group the stormy v»oather was very 88versly felt, and the trading vssaols had to make for shelter. Captain" W hitf ord, a trader in the Banks Group, was caught in the gales whilst out in his trading vessel, and he was driven to eea for fee» days. During thia Simo the crew had a terrible time of it, and two died from exposure, whileb the third, tiha chief officer, named Sam Marie, euccuosbed three days after tho vessel roached the anchorage. Captain Whitford was itricken down with fever.

The Kihikihi correspondent of tho "Waikato Argus" writes: "Tho disturbance amongst the different native owners of the Pokuru block, which includes tha valuable Acacia Grove. _ just near Andereon's crossing, still continues and threatens to become serious if the local polieg are not considerably re-inforced. There appaar3 te be bad blood between tho parties concerned,and tho obstructionists to the fencing are interfering with the fences ol other natives also farther up the Puuiu River."

Colonel Hume yesterday inspected the police fotcg in Auckland on the ground adjacent to the old barracks. Is is time this un»ighfcly building was done away with, and wa are pleased to lea n that provision has bsen marie for the erection of a aew aud substantial structure. The Minister for Justice, the Hon. Thos. Thompson, laab session succeeded in patting tho first) instalmenb of the vote for the new building placed on the estimates, and negotiations will shortly take place between the City Council and the Government for an exchange of sites. We understand tfce cost of the new building will ba between £G,OOO and £7,609. At Rofcorna yesterday morning a native named Te Wiremu Mataite, a well-known footballer, was digging sulphur near Tikitere, when the crust gave way and he was precipitated into a huge cavity of boiling water. Another native dragged him out, bub he was co soverely scalded hia recovery is hopeless.

The Naw Guinea authorities are of the opinion thab there will baa bis ruah to the locality of the recent gold fiads> immediately after the wet Beason, about March. Th© GoYornor, Sir William Macgregor, is taking stop? accordingly, and is determined to expend £1,090 in making a track from &n advantageous port, and establishing oae or moro depots along the routo, where distressed diggers will be able to get supplies. Ssveral fine rivers run down from the mountains, but that which will giva the most direct and easy route inland has nob yeb been determined.

It was not a carriage belonging to Mrs Alexander Rose though entered in her tiaras for the Floral Fete, bub one engaged and decorated by some of tho ladies of Onehunga. Mrs Rose had only moved in the matter of appointment of a lonal comsuttee S9 that Ooehunga should be represented at the fete.

The firet wool sale 3of the season in Auckland will be conducted to-morrow at the Auckland Vi oolbrokera' Association's Booms by Messrs G. W. Binney and Sons, New Zouland Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Messrs Hunter and Nolan, and Messrs A. Bucklnnd and Son?. Wool is coming in freely, and the sale will, if anything, be larger than laai year's opening •now.

From the St. Jataes' Snnday-school ft^ards published in connection with the Sunday-school Union Exhibition the followwere inadvartently omitted : —Mary Band, special prize for mantle d-npo; Roseina Hand, nrs^ for cuehion ; Maggie Hand, second for cushion. An excellent programme of nau3ic has been {"■spared by tho Auckland Choral Society •or their last concert of the season, which takes place io the Choral Hall this (Tuos- %) evening. Tha items on this occasion "!} be largely orchestral. The orchestra will contribute the overtures to " Yelva," Eosamunde" and " Pro Au Clercs," and they will also assist Misi Ada Yates in too concerto for the pianoforte by Chopin, Andante Spianoto et Polonahee." Herr WDmermann will contribute a new and oimculb violin solo by Niedsizieiski, " Grand fWero do Concort." Miss Crowther and if Wilfred Manning, who make their "Utial appearance with the society, will Provide the vocal items.

This evening in the City Hall an section entertainment by limeliahb will be Ki.en under the direction of Mr C. tinpor- „ The enterfcainmenb is entitled v" Candidates Under the X Rays °[ the Limelighb," and ib will embrace wtoooa and caricatures, introducing many Humhar faces. Descriptive songs and Si andtopical ßonesand dueta>with "M'lßhb effects, will be given by a number vJ° c? 1 vocalists, including Miss Carrie A* e fw f i lMn J ' Robin M&y> BuUerv. ''exbßHtb, and Morton Prior. The box Pa»is open at Wildman's, and a charge of •wuSei'i";? •for tho dresa circlej the B»te\^? 8H" delainG9 '" exquisite PWwtn at 6id por , wd at tUe D.S.C.-(Ad.;

As noon to-day several members of fche Committee of the Auckland Cycling; Club waited on Mr J. J. Holland (Mayor of Auckland) at tha Mayor's room, Municipal Huildinga, and presMted him with a gold bicycle chain, in recognition of hia servicos on behalf of the Club. MrE. Norden, in making the presentation, referred to the lively interest Mr Holland had taken inttie recenb Cycling Club aports and the drawing of the art union, and also in athletics generally. He hoped that Mr Holland would find a place for the chain on hie watch chain, and that be would be returned as one of the representatives ©f Auckland city at the general election on Friday next. Mr Holland returned thanks. Ha said that ib was one of the first preseubs he had had the honour of receiving, and thab h» would be pleased bo wear it on hia watch-chain. During his term of office as Mayor he had done all in his power to asai3b local athletic institutions, and, although going oufc ef office, ha would aver take a lively interest in all outdoor sports. He wished the Auckland Cycling Club every success, and he hoped that the membership would increase each year.

Dissatisfaction is expressed by some of those present at Saturday a floral feto respecting: the manner id which the robing for the champion banner, awarded to the most popular exhibit in the show, was carried on. Voting papers were sold on the grounds aba pa nay each, tho public thus having an opportunity of voting for the exhibit which they considered the most attractive in the show. The system would no doubt have been satisfactory if the principle of one-pereon-one-vote had been observed, but there was nothing to prevont anyone from purchasing a large number of tickets and exorcising them in favour of any exhibit which he wished to vote for. VVifcfa regard bo the champion binnor wo are informed that much confusion existed over the two Grafton district exhibits, one of which was Mrs J. Dacro's "Arcadia" van and the other the Grafton young ladies harvesting waggon. Owing to the vagueness of the description in the catalogue, we hear thab may who voted for the prize-winner did so under a, misapprehension, owing to the brief descriptions in the catalogue being misleading, and really intended to vote for the other. No doubb some confusion existed, and the Committeo would do well to bear in mind the necessity of improving the arrangements at the next ft-te. Probably it would be far more satisfactory if voting papers were handed to each spec tabor on firat entering the gatea ef the show-ground.

The Legal Committee of the City Council fiad after inquiring into tho Library management, as suggested by Cr. Kewson, as followa : " That tho management of tho Library, and the conduct of the officials, is satisfactory in ovßry respect." With regard to a circular from the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, suggesting that steps be taken that charitable aid expenses be met from the Consolidated Fund, the Committee decided to recommend the Council to consider tho matter, and to co-operate with other local bodies on the lines indicated.

At the request of a numbor of our amateur athletes, the North Shore A.A. Club have decided to receive further entries for their sports until thia eveniog. Mr James Prince, the jewoller, haa presented a real silver cup to the Club to go to the winner of tha most points at the Clab's two meetings.

Messrs Samuel Coehrane and Son, auctioneers, held a successful property sale today, at their Room*, Queen-street. A twa-atoried shop in Karang&hape Road, wifh a frontage of 25 feet, was sold for £650, while a uoven-roomed dweiling-house in Nopior-strBOS, on ad allotment measuring 25ft by lOOib, • brought) £240. Another section in ehe latter jfcreeb went for £115, ami two cottages in Wood-street were sold for £110 and £170, respectively.

ISJr Alborfc Lucas announce? another harbour concert for to-morrow night). The steamer Eagle wi 1 leave the ferry tee at 8 o'clock and call at St. Helier'a Bay. A good concert is promised.

We are requested to call attention to an important sale of city, suburban, and country properties to b« held by Richard Arthur at his mart, Queen-3trßofc, tomorrow, at 12 o'clock.

Clarkson Bros., grocers, Karangahape Road, announce that they will close as usual to-morrow afternoon and remain open all Friday.

Court Bros, announco tbat their Queenstreet premises will nob close on Friday (election day), but on Wednesday afternoon as usual.

Twenty of tho main shops in Karangaligpe Road hava intimated by a notice in to-night's Star tba* they will close their respective houees of business on Friday next, the day of election. They will keep open all day to-morrow, Wednesday.

Professor Carrollo'a annual picnic and pport9 will be held at Piae Island on Saturday, Decembar stb.

The 8.3. Tongariro, now :n port;, has br&ughb Smith and Caughey another large Rhipmenb of the famous Watorspray calicoe3, longclotha and sheetings. Customers can novy be supplied with every price and quality,—(Advt.)

180 dozen of white and unbleached Turkish towels. A job line ex a.a. Tongariro.—Smith and Caughey.—(Advt.) Just opened, a largo assortment of ladies' 4-button tan kid gloves, special value, at la 6d, Is lid.—Smith and Caughey.—(Advt.) Jusb oponed special noveiy new black silk stripe canvas crepon, a'ao a choice selection and special value in black lustres, mohairs, etc. Smith and Caughey, drees merchants, etc.—(Advt,)

Ladie3 high class footwear, made on'fche latest scientific princip'es. Every pair guaranteed. Smith and Caughey.—Advc. Boating, tennta, and bowline shoes, just opened up in ail tha latssb Btyles. Smith and Caughey.—(Advt.)

A large and well-aelecfced stock of gents' mercery., hat 9, tiea, collars and tennis ehirta a specialty, from 3a Gd up, at Smith and Caughoy's.— (Advfe.) Our all wool gents' tweed euib at 20s 6d, for constant) wear, is unequalled.—D.S.C. —(Advfc.)