METHYLATED SPIRIT EVIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13685, 20 May 1912, Page 3

METHYLATED SPIRIT EVIL.

AUCKLAND POLICE OFFICER'S STATEMENT. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 17. 1 lie Mir which lias been raised inChri.dcanrch over the increased amount oi’ drunkenness arising from the consumption oi methylated spirit, led a reporter to make Mime inquiries locally to aseevtaiu, ii po-sible, the extent to which this e\il (‘.\isls in Auckland. “We have couehoiye evidence 1 hat methylated spirit is dra.iL by a certain class ot men and women in Auckland,'' said a police officer, in reply to a question. "Occasionally Ihev get a new recruit, bat the majority are well known to us as persons who have practically ruined themselves with drink already. They start on ordinary liquor, hut, by reason of prohibition orders and other difficulties in their wav, they take to methylated spirit, which is cheap, strong, and easily procured from chemists, oil and colour merchants, and general stores—much more easily, in fact, than other liquor. It seems to be the favourite drink with these people on Sundays and at other times when the hotels are closed. We find that at least t)0 per cent, of Sunday drunkards in Auckland are methylated spirit eases. It is an easy matter to tell such people from other drunkards bv the strong smell which hangs about them, and I feel quite safe iu saying that some have been found so charged with the spirit: that wo have been afraid to bring them near a light. Practically all of them shake and tremble as an ordinary drunkard never does. We had little experience of the habit until about twelve years ago,'' concluded tile officer, “and since then it lias gradually become more common. Still I do not think that there need be great alarm about it, for people who take methylated spirits are so far gone that they will take anything. In earlier days 1 have known such persons go (he length of drinking bay ruin, kitchen essence.-, and Worcester sauce in order to gratify their craving f.n- a stimulant. In view of this, the habit is not likely to go beyond the most degraded class of the popuhit ion."