ALCOHOLIC CORDIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 6915, 30 May 1885, Page 2

ALCOHOLIC CORDIALS.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir,—Your correspondent, " William R. Craig," has scarcely studied his subject enough to give publicity to his opinions. In of his statements in your last evening's issue, allow me to state that I have assisted in the manufacture of cordials for the last six years, and during that period I have never used, nor have I seen used, alcoholic liquors of any sort in the manufacture of the following cordials, viz., peppermint, cloves, lemon syrup, or pineapple cordial, which, I think, are four representative cordial drinks. Hoping Mr Craig will look a little further into the matter before writing again—l am, etc., Truth. Dunedin, May 30. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was very much amused on reading a letter headed "Alcoholic Cordials" in your columns. Allow me to say that if anyone's brain among the Blue Ribbon disciples be touched, Mr W. R. Craig is one of them ; and lie deserves not only the "bit o' blue," but also a leather medal as a distinct recognition of his services for the absurd way in which he endeavors to expose the 'manufacture of cordials and misguide those who do not know bettor than himself. 1 do not wish to retaliate on temperance, but to give an emphatic denial that spirit of any kind enters in the manufacture of what is termed cordials, viz., cloves, lemon syrup, peppermint, pineapple, limejuice, raspberry vinegar, etc., unless the above be manufactured by inexperienced persons, who quote spurious authority, as the writer has done. I can prove this to Mr Craig or any other promoter of temperance ; and I think it a great injustice not only to the manufacturers, but to the public, that such absurd statements be published for the sake of inducing people to total abstinence. But no doubt Mr Craig is fond of seeing his name in print—l am not; and this is my first and last letter on this subject.—l am, etc., Fabricant. Dunedin, May 30. P.S.—lf Mr Craig wishes confirmation for the above I enclose my card. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent "Mr Craig," although professing to understand everything in connection with the manufacture of cordials, appears to be totally ignorant of the difference between cordials and liqueurs. Allow me to inform "Mr Craig" that spirits of wine, brandies, or anything smelling of spirit, is never used by an experienced maker in the manufacture of any kind of cordials.

I have no desire of entering into a newspaper controversy with your correspondent, but if he will, at his own convenience, meet me at your office I will convince him of the fallacy of his statements,—l am, etc., Charles Wilkins. Dunedin, May 30.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—Mr W. R. Craig insists on my again trespassing on your columns in self-defence, as I did not think it worth the trouble to reply to his second letter, but allowed him to glide into the abyss of glory great in his own conceit, which he is evidently quite Ignorant of. It is not my intention to give to the public the recipes for making the cordials, which our friend seems to- have done, and enlightened everyone with it j I leave that for some of the cordial-makers of this City to do themselves. Let them take up the gauntlet on their own behalf. But I assure W. R. Craig that the more he writes the more ignorant he appears in the eyes of every one gifted with ordinary sense. Peppermint, cloves, lime • juice cordial, lemon syrup, and hosts of other cordials have not a particle of spirits in their manufacture, and I would strongly recommend Mr Craig to take some of these cordials to Professor Black for analysis, to assure him that my statement is correct, and so set his mind at ease.

I do not intend going into his recipes in full, but merely point out the absurdity of those which he quoted last evening—the cost of his cordials ranging from 13s to about 45s per gallon, while the same are being sold here for 3s 6d to 9s per gallon, after paying all expenses, wages for manufacture, and allowing for profits. I think this proof is quite enougli for the public. On the face of such an absurd piece of composition, I could not withhold my original intention of not entering into any debate on the subject. I am, etc., A Cordial Drinker. Dunedin, May 30.

BARMAIDS. TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —The petition circulated for signature by the newly - organised Women’s Christian Temperance Union has raised the question of the propriety or otherwise of employing young women as barmaids. I will express no opinion on this question myself, but ask you to publish the following extracts from the report of a Royal Commission on employee i in shops a by the Victorian Government. Clause 12 of the report says : “ The medical evidence affords an emphatic condemnation of the system of employing young girls in hotels as barmaids.” 13. “There seems, in the opinion of your Commissioners, only one effectual means of remedying the many abuses existing in connection with the employment of young women in hotels, viz., the absolute prohibition of the system of barmaids. This may seem a drastic mode of dealing with the difficulty, but it appears to'be imperative.” 15. “ Your Commissioners, therefore,‘<uif.der all the circumstances, emphatically’ condemn any system, or the modification of any system, by which women shall in future be employed as barmaids in Victoria,” —I am, etc., Veritas Vikcit,