PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19203, 20 June 1924, Page 9

PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

LICENSING REFORM.

A mooting of The Portnbello Bond Hoard, held yesterday, was attended by Messnj W • R. Howlands (.chairman), H. Allen, K. Lee, C. Hall, S. Hinkley, S. A'. Muir, Lewis, and Captain M'Donald. The Public Trus.t Office wrote stating that £591 had Ireen paid into the board's account by way of loan. Several ratepayers from Breed Bay wrote protesting against the erection c! a building right in the centre ol' the township, the Umber of which is infected with borer. It was pointed'out that although no permit, had been granted, building operations were proceeding. Members agreed unanimously to write to the offender informing him that he must comply with the by-law. Notice of motion was given that the same rates as last year be struck, — lid general rate, and Jd Hospital rate.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Mr A. Irwin, when faced with the liquor evils, shies, ia afraid to face them, and seeks to side-step the facts. Equivocate as he may, while he suports the sale of alcoholic drink under any system, ho is morally and socially responsible for the evil results. He overlooks the fact that alcohol is always a cell poison to the individual and cumulatively is a national and racial poison. God never made a human being who needed alcohol to stimulate his brain or to feed his body. Neither Mr Irwin nor all the bishops of the Church combined can hove exceedingly moderate drinkers without at the same time having intoxicated thousands, and this because of the inherent nature of the drug when brought into contact with human nature. Mr Irwin further says, “Anyone permitting himself to come under alcoholic influence or to become intoxicated is ?. self-made lunatic.” "What constitutes intoxica lion, Cor? Roes Mr Irwin not know that the British Anmy Medical Corps has demonstrated the fact “that after tho taking of anything over a teaspoonfui of alcohol the brain ol a strong healthy man is affected, and proved not normal, —that his powers of judgment are then impaired.'’ Nov; as a pint of pure English ale contains about two dessertspoonfuls of alcohol, I would like to ask Mr Irwin where he considers moderation ends and intoxication begins. Mr Irwin says that lam a accplic. Be it so, but Mr Irwin must remember that while in an incomparable story, the priest and the lovite passed by on the other side, but the sceptic (the Eamanitan) went and did his best for suffering humanity.—l am, etc., New Zealander. J une 19.