CHRISTCHURCH ACID DROPS

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 5 May 1894, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH ACID DROPS

BY BOBIN GOODFELLOW. Food adulteration received some attention lately. A family was nearly poisoned in Lyttelton with some im-. pure brawn. Yet no steps were taken to bring the vendors to justice. It was not even ascertained where the stuf was purchased! At' an inquest the other day, Mr Beetham the coroner actually tasted some liquid abomination which was understood to be brandy. Instructions were 'immediately given for an analysis to be made and for the constable to ascertain where it came from. Adul-' teration is a crime v that should;.. be punished with merceful severity. Flogging is a punishment that should only be resorted to, in the most extreme cases but I confess I think it would only be a fit punishment for * adulterators of food and drink. A more severe punishment wpuld be perhaps to make them- consume their own goods. Dear, dear, deary me! I di'd^Hope we had' done with the Prohibition* quest:, ion" for 12^w/inohthg at 'any rate But like tfae " yellbwfiagony " it, seems i'thcat it has come to 'stay^ -^lt- -is amusing although depressing to read the 1 frantic way prohibitionists try to distort the figures at the late election and to ele-

vate the blatant agitators into demigods. Our latest inflection has been a lecture from one Yefex a Wellington agent for typewriters, who was dispatched to America on the track of Gilbert Stringer the Brewers reporter on Prohibition, Mr F. W. Isitt was in the chair and endeavoured to teach the Editor of the Lyttelton. Times the way to edit and seemed to think that the Times would be improved -if run on the lines of the Prohibitionist: He A also stated that he never spoke imles3 sure yet when the fire bell rang out for a fire he asked the audience to keep their seats as it was only a falsa alarm got up to disperse their meeting!! As however the collection was being taken up the small crowd got * less and- less and I am afraid ?±Yexex" was not a financial success. As an instance of how old habits cling I was told of a prominent prohibitionist" who ostentatiously took a drink of water at the fountain in the square. Alas alas the effect was .marred, for when the goblet,, -was full he glanced round for approbation and proceeded "to blow the froth off " before drinking. ---- We have here just 'bow a Mr" Eobt. White a Phenologist. He informed me that he intends to visit Oxford. The Eoman Catholic Church has been holding a carnival in Tuam Street Hall. It was a very good entertainment and has been well att&nded. Our town schools are closed for holidays much to the delight of parents I hear however that mumps ftre very prevalint among the children. The football craze has made its annual appearance.' .