AN APPALLING INCREASE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13418, 16 May 1912, Page 5

AN APPALLING INCREASE.

VICTIMS LARGELY PROHIBITED

PERSONS

(Special to "The Colonist. "\

Christchurch, May 15

In view of tho disclosures regarding methylated spirit drinking made at an inquest held yesterday, a "Press" reporter to-day made inquiries as to the extent to which''the'practice prevails. Mr W. li. Bishop, S.M.. said it was a subject on which' he could not be dramatic, but his experience convinced him that tho habit was a growing one. Those who attended the Magistrate's Court would know that tho custom of drinking methylated spirits was no longer an unusual one.

A chemist, with a shop in the central portion of the city, said that the. demand had increased largely within the past five years. The evil in his opinion was so great that he had given orders to his assistants to supply methylated spirits to no one who had not a reasonable, excuse for desiring to buy it.

Sovnral polio© officers stated that there conkl be no doubt that tlio habit was no longer.a raro one, though its victims, for tho most part, were proliibited persons, or those unable for some other reason to obtain liquoi

Mr J. T. Sutton, president of .the Liconrcd Victuallers' Association, said flint tho question hfid begun to affcrt t.bo hotels, in that they wore being credited with drunkenness which the y had not caused. Tho way it affected them had been explained by the inspector employed by tlie trade organisation, .who bad said that much drinking of rccthvlated-spirits wns going on:

CABLE NEWS.

[Press Association —Copyright.]