CHATHAM ISLANDS

Southland Times, Issue 25746, 9 August 1945, Page 6

CHATHAM ISLANDS

Allegations Of Excessive Drinking Denied (P.A.) DUNEDIN, August 7. A denial of allegations of excessive drinking, leading to serious moral breaches, at the Chatham Islands was given by Constable George William Gow of Waitati, who was stationed at the islands from 1930 to 1936, when he gave evidence today to the Royal Commission on Licensing. Evidence along similar lines was given by Sergeant Carl Leslie Spencer, who was stationed at the islands between 1936 and 1941. Both witnesses referred to evidence given before the commission on March 7, and widely reported, and both said that the statement was, in many respects, contrary to facts as they saw them.

“There are two accommodation licences at the islands,” said Constable Gow. “Both houses are within 100 yards of one another. They were, in my time, (and may be still) both owned by the same licensee. I fail to see how the closing of one of these house could result in less drinking. The accommodation at present provided by the two houses is, if conditions are still as I knew them, fully required on boat days.” Sergeant Spencer said there was no free and unrestricted breaking of the law during his term on the island, and records showed that there was none before his arrival. Although illegitimacy was common, liquor was not responsible for it. Action was always taken if the age of a mother indicated a breach of criminal law.

“From my point of view, and having regard to the fact that there is no pa life, also the small number of persons not entitled to remove liquor from licensed premises, I think that, if the restrictions on the natives were lifted, the position would improve rather than deteriorate,” he said.