Sydenham Licensing Committee.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5550, 23 February 1886, Page 3

Sydenham Licensing Committee.

♦ TO THE EDITOR OP THE STAB. Sir,— As a resident in Sydenham, and a constant reader of your valuable paper, will you permit me, through its medium, to make a few remarks in reference to the present state of things in our (once) model Borough ? It is a fact freely admitted that since the number of licensed houses have increased in the Borough, and the time of closing the same has been extended to 11 p.m., the drink traffic has also increased; also, that Sunday trading is carried on to a large extent. The present Licensing Committee have, I think, gone against the interests of the Borough, and the wishes of the majority of the ratepayers in extending the hours of closing from 10 to 11 p.m. The inhabitants of Sydenham are, to a large extent, composed of the working classes, who, when they have returned home from their day's toil, spend their evenings at home with their families. Unfortunately, there are a few who do not, and I conclude that it is for the accommodation of these, and in the interests of the publicans, that the time of closing has been extended. It is a sorry fact that since the increase of licensed houses in our midst, and the extension of time granted to these houses for the sale of intoxicating drinks, we have had an increase of houses of ill-repute, some of which are in close proximity to these hotels. I observe through the medium of your paper that five gentlemen have been nominated as a Committee who favour 10 o'clock closing, and will also endeavour to check Sunday trading. I trust that for the moral and social welfare of the Borough, that the electors of Sydenham will do their duty by placing these gentlemen at the head of the poll. — I am, &c, OBSERVER. Sydenham, Feb. 22, 1886.