DRUNKENNESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9774, 11 July 1892, Page 6

DRUNKENNESS.

TO THE EDITOR, Sib,—Your correspondent “ Looked Into It ” would imply that a large proportion * of the drunkenness reported to the Magistrates should be debited to the country districts. I reside in one of the beat parts of Christchurch, and within a radius of two hundred yards I know at least Six who are a curse to themselves and their families through the appetite for alcoholic liquors. One has baen more than once in the care of the police; another may often be seen in the early morning going from one bar to another, waiting for them to be opened. Your correspondent speaks of them aa “ beasts.” That is quite a mistake. Beasts have far more common sense than many bipeds, who form any: kind of excuse to account for their excessive drinking. To my mind the individual overcome by the appetite for drink is an object of pity, especially to those who profess to bo followers of Him who came to seek and save the lost ones. If prevention is better than cure, I would ask what are the leaders of the Churches in Christchurch doing to persuade men and women not to acquire the taste for stimulants both by their example and precepts ? In England more than one Chaplain to the Qu en and popular preachers, Canons of St Paul’s, are leading advocates of the cause of total abstinence. The Bishop of London is President of the National Temperance League. In dissenting ranks the eminent ministers are leaders ia the cause. In this neighbourhood none of any denomination appear to take—with one or two exceptions—any active part in temperance work. Large public meetings appear only to be held when some flying comet from I afar visitg.Jia for a few weeks. Your cor*

respondent correctly says non-drunkard are hardened in other sins. He might have added that the vice of gambling pervades society to such an extent in this Colony as to call for a crusade against it. But “ two wrongs do not make one right” is an old saying, and drinking habits not only unfit the individuals for every-day duties, but also bring much personal suffering to the families of which they are members.—l am, &c,, A LOOKER-ON. Christchurch, July 6, 1892.