A HOMILY FROM THE BENCH.

Evening Star, Issue 5074, 10 June 1879, Page 2

A HOMILY FROM THE BENCH.

At the last sitting of the District Court at Westport, Judge Weston referred in no measured terms to the granting of licenses to sell liquor to every " Tom, Dick, and Harry," and said that it appeared to him that the authorities winked at the evil for the sake of the revenue which was produced. Daring the hearing of the application of John James Morris, a bankrupt, for his discharge at the District Court, Hokitika, Judge Weßton insisted upon the necessity of more stringent dealing with the Licensing Act. " This was," said His Honor, " not an exceptional case; it was similar to others which were constantly coming before him on the Coast. Here was a man who started at Kumara in debt, but with a cottage he valued at L6O. He moves the cottage en to a| section, and incurs a liability of L4OO in turning this miserable cottage into an hotel. He buys goods on credit, and sells for cash. Ultimately he finds himself loaded with debt, with almost worthless property and a bill of sale over it. His takings were Ll a day, upon which there was no profit. Finding himself without a sixpence, he fails, and the very people he had victimised supply him again on credit." After some further remarks, Judge Weston went on to say :—«• The way lusiness was carried on on the West Coast was marvellous and sinful. The shareholders of the banks suffered through this system of trading. It was quite time the justices set their faces against this indiscriminate granting of licenses. Bankers and merchants were the sufferers. He had done all he could, but it was without effect, on the folly of these traders."