A Protest from Clutha.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 37

A Protest from Clutha.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — "Whereas certain wild statements and rumours have of late been circulated through the press" and from public platforms as to the disastrous consequence's that have attended the carrying of "nolicense" in the Clutha, and the immorality of the community arisingtherefrom, we, the undersigned, deem it our duty, in the interests of Justice, Truth, Honour, and Humanity, to" refute the gross misrepresentations, distortion of facts, and vile calumnies that are hurled at us. and beg to give our emphatic testimony that "no-license" has NOT been prejudicial to the financial, commercial, or moral well-being of the place o? people. Clutha stands where it has done for yearssolid for prohibition. Its electors recognise that, in spite of adverse criticism (some of it possibly legitimate), the district has gained immensely from every point of view. The finances or the county are in a sound condition. Speaking of Balclutha, with which we are most familiar, the place hasnever shown each signs of prosperity as at the present time. For instance, during the past 12 months improvements within the borough amount to the respectable sum of TEN THOUSAND POUNDS. This we acknowledge was an exceptional year, though for years past the town ha« been making steady progress. With a population of about 1100, such prosperity will compare very favourably, we are sure, with any town of equal population under license. The borough finances, too, are in a thoroughly sound and satisfactory state, the old shilling rate being still in operation.That commercially we have benefited, is : indicated by the fact that our leading business people are enlarging their premises, and axe in what is recognised in commercial | life as being in a good way. The most libellous charge made against us is that in connection with the alleged sly grog-selling, which we are told ife rampant. "We do not hesitate to say that this ; has been grossly exaggerated. With strict police supervision, what sly grog-sailing we have is kept very much in the background, and- is in no sense the- flagrant thing our traducers assert. It is possible only with men prepared to stoop to backdoor ways of procuring drink, and the number of these is from year to year becoming 6maller. In townships where license prevails drunken men are frequently to be eeen : here the sight o* one is unquestionably very rare. " To show that the illicit 6ale of strong drink is not the extensive and profitable business so often alleged, the hotelj keepers themselves admit that it does not payAs a further evidence of the benefits of "no-license," our nearest neighbours, Biuco and Metaura (who ought to know something of the working of the prohibitory law in the Clutha), at every past election increased their vote for the abolition of the drink traffic, and are confident of carrying prohibition at the forthcoming poll. A fact of this kind is worth noting. Crime has been greatly reduced in the Clutha under " no-license." The increase ' i of convictions during the last three years (of which we understand so much is being ] made by the " trade) is largely due to in- j creased vigilance on the part of he Stock ] , Department. During the past year we have > had only two convictions for drunkenness. j Three years ago it was found necessary, ' ' because of slamders circulated by the Liquor party, to publish a protest nn the above lines. Again, on the eve of the no-license poll the same tactics, from north to south, j are being followed, necessitating on our part another protest. We have nothing to gain by misrepresentation, raid therefore invite any fair-minded and unprejudiced person to come and investigate for themselves. — We are, etc., D.- Stewart, Mayor. John C. Mitchell, Town Clerk. S. W. Currie, Presbyterian Min'stw. Arthur Mitchell, Methodist Munister. Robt. R. Stewart, Solicitor. M. Muir, Merchant. C. J. Wood, Baker. A. Stenhouse, Surgeon. W. A. Flenjing, Surgeon. Thomas Hilliker, Salesman. Benjamin O'Connor, Chemist, j D. Watt, Clerk. 1 O. W. Guests Salesman.

A. M'Kenzie, Draper. J. Smyth Fleming, J.P., Journalist. W. Gues.t, Merchant. Donald Ryrie, Merchant. D. Coghill, Accountant. James C.ark, Blacksmith. Geo. Smith, jun., Stock Agent. "Win. Mollison, Gardener. G. H. Reid, Watchmaker. W. Widdowson, Civil Engineer. John Agnew, Builder. Clement Grant, Proprietor Coffee Palace Simon Wright, City Butcher. John Ramage, Plumber. Thos. Raxnage, Sanitary Plumber. William Harvie, Dealer. A. H. B. Poulter, Painter and Plumber.

. The Waka-tipu Mail says that a weekly mail service has now been established between Garston and Upper Nevis. The south express arrived at Christchurch 30 minutes late on Friday evening, owing to several long waits in putting on extra carriages. Three boating accidents occurred in the Thames Harbour on Sunday week, but fortunately they were not attended with serious results. At the various central police stations throughout the colony public auctions will be held at noon on November 29 of different unclaimed articles. Word was received at Huntly (Auckland) that there is an outbreak of sickness among the natives at Tangiwahia, and Dr Wilson, a Native health officer, has gone to T»ngiwahia to attend' to 'the' sufferers.