SLY GROG SELLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 931, 2 October 1869, Page 9

SLY GROG SELLING.

To the Editor of the Otago Witness. Sir— l had hoped that an abler pen than mine from the goldfields would have taken up this matter. The fact that nearly all the stores and places of business sell grog with impunity is known to everybody on the diggings. The wholesalo wine and spirit license is the great oloak that the scoreß here adopt. Those that take out that license generally fit up a part of their store with shelvos and bar, with bottles, decanters, a barrel of ale on tap, and glasses, with a drainer on the bar, just the same as in any hotel in Dunedin or elsewhere, and then they retail as publicly, liko any hotel in New Zealand. The police do not interfere in the least, either from want of the power to do so, or from not liking the duty. Now, Sir, in justice to the publicans who pay a heavy license, and have to build a large house and stables and keep accommodation for the public, I think it is time that the Government tried to put a stop to it, and proteot the publican in the trade that he pays a license for. I have the misfortune to have an hotel in n place where there are two hotels, and eight of these stores and shanties, all of whioh aro well known to the police. Some of them sell more liquor rotail than I do. Trusting that you will give these few lines a place in your papor. — I am, &c. Publican. Macraes, September 27th.