PROHIBITION IN INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 20

PROHIBITION IN INVERCARGILL.

A PLAIN, UNVARNISHED TALE.

THE RECORD FOR JUNE.

Some time ago a manifesto signed by one hundred professional and business men of Invercargill conveyed the impression to the world that drunkenness in that town, if not extinguished altogether, was so rare as to be remarkable. But what are the facts? Paragraphs from the “ Southland Times ” (the editor and proprietor of which signed the manifesto) for last month, up to the latest available date, shall speak for themselves:— June Ist. William George Jackson was arrested in a state of drunkenness at the corner. of Dee and Tay streets on Saturday night, and was taken into custody by Sergeant Black. The week which Jackson was allowed by the Court in which to pay the fine of £5 inflicted on the 22nd instant for the offence of procuring whisky for a prohibited person, was up on Saturday, but in ordinary circumstances he would have been allowed to retain his liberty until to-day, when he will appear before the Court to answer to the second offence. June 2nd. Between four and five o’clock yesterday afternoon Constable Hammerley arrested a man for drunkenness in Esk street. By half-past nine, the offender had sufficiently recovered his equilibrium to be released on bail. He will appear before the Court this morning. June 3. At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr W.. B. Scandrett, J.P., a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined 18s and 2s costs. June sth. Two first offenders for drunkenness were brought before Mr W. Smith, J.P., at the Police Court yesterday morning. One was convicted and discharged, and the other, who had created a public disturbance during his aberration from sobriety, was fined £2. He was allowed two weeks in which to pay the fine. June 6th. The evening train from Invercargill to the Western District on Wednesday evening was a very heavy one, and carried a large number of young men very much under the influence of liquor. The railway officials in charge of the train are to be commended for their efficient handling of such a heavy train, and for maintaining order, which in some of the carriages required more than ordinary tact. June Bth. Between nine and ten o’clock on Saturday night the police made a raid on the premises in Dee Street known as the “ Carriers’ Arms Hotel,”, and occupied by Frank Poff. The raid was conducted by Sergeants Mathieson and Black, who executed the search warrant. The police authorities are naturally and advisedly reticent about the matter, but it is officially reported that a considerable quantity of liquor, whisky and beer, was discovered and confiscated. Legal proceedings will follow in due course. June 9th. At half-past six last night Constable Callanan arrested a man for drunkenness in Dee street. The offender, it is alleged, was quite incapable of looking after himself. He will appear before the Court this morning. June 10 th. At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., a first offender for drunkenness was fined 10s without costs.

June 11th.

As a resident of Gala Street was sitting quietly at home at about halfpast eight last night, reading the paper, he was perturbed by hearing an unusual noise on the street. Going outside to ascertain the cause of the disturbance he discovered that several palings of his picket fence had been smashed to atoms. Of course there was then no sign of the perpetrators of this act of vandalism. The police have been informed of the incident, but in the circumstances there is little hope of those responsible earning in the Court the notoriety they are not prepared to se?k voluntarily.

J .me 13th

At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., a first offender for drunkenness, remanded for medical treatment a few days ago, was convicted and discharged on the score of drunkenness, and was ordered to pay £1 13s for expenses of treatment on a charge of helpless drunkenness. One month was given in which to pay.

June 16th.

At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr G. Froggatt, J.P., James Smith, arrested by Constable Phillips, in Dee Street, on Saturday night, was convicted of drunkenness and fined 10s and 2s costs. This morning an offender, arrested by Sergeant Black in Dee Street yesterday afternoon, about two o’clock, will appear before the Court to answer a similar charge. June 20th. One of the passengers arriving by train about four o’clock yesterday afternoon was apparently helpless with liquor, and was removed to the lockup in a cab by Constable Silvester. The man will appear before the Court this morning. In addition to the daily record of drunkenness during the first three weeks, of June, no fewer than nine liquor prosecutions came before the Magistrate, when fines amounting to £146 were inflicted. One of the charges was for obtaining whisky in the town during the currency of a prohibition order. Well may it be asked (and asked in vain), Does prohibition prohibit? Does prohibition save the boy? The number of Invercargill first offenders during June answers the question emphatically in the negative.—“ N.Z. Times.”

In an article in the “ Westminster Review ” for May, Mr T. Good maintains that the strict temperance sys* tern applied to Glasgow, as compared with the tax system in force in Sheffield, has produced disastrous re-

At Sydney last week the Local Option Court published the revision of the metropolitan area, with the result that 79 hotels are to be closed.

A lively scene in Sir Thomas Bent’s office was reported from Melbourne the other day. During the visit of a deputation, Sir Thomas objected to two deputationists. Some warm talk compelled their retirement. Then a member of Parliament, who introduced the troublesome ones, got to words with one of his flock, an exchange of compliments resulting in the Parliamentarian chasing the deputationist out of the room.

Two Scotch travellers, a merchant and a farmer, were discussing political economy in a railway carriage. After a while the merchant filled his pipe, lit it, and settled back for a comfortable smoke. The farmer took his pipe from his pocket, and, after gazing longingly at its empty bowl, asked his companion for a match. The merchant selected one from a large boxful and handed it over. Said the farmer: “ I am afraid I’ve come away wi’out my baccy pouch.”

“ Well,” said the merchant, holding out his hand, “ then ye’ll no be in need of that match.”

Mr W. May who is well known at Ohaewai, has purchased from Mr J. F. Falkner, his interest in the hotel at that place, and took possession last week. We wish Mr May every success in his new venture and feel sure that his popularity in the district will ensure good business.

Active steps are now being taken for the forming of strong committees in each electorate, whose duties will be to see to the enrolling of friends and supporters of the trade. It is a recognised fact that the trade suffers very much at each local option poll from the loss of the votes of the indifferent electors. Each member connected with the liquor trade should raise every endeavour to see that not only are all theii’ friends and relatives on the roll, but make it a personal matter in seeing that each one records his or her vote for continuance and liberty.

A dispute about the lease of a hotel was heard at Dunedin last week, when in the Supreme Court, Judge Williams gave judgment in the case of Mrs Paterson v. W. J. Gore and Ethel Decosta, executors in the estate of Mrs Farrell. Plaintiff and Mrs Farrell, now dead, were friends, and plaintiff let to the latter the Ocean Beach Hotel. Mrs Decosta (then Miss Benjamin) drew up the lease, which was read to plaintiff. Mrs Farrrll died, and plaintiff understood that the lease was to expire at death, and now sought for possession. The question was whether plaintiff understood the terms of the lease. Judgment was given for defendants, with costs on the middle scale.

The crop of tobacco in Queensland in the coming year is expected to be a good one, and it is thought that the permanence of the industry there is assured.

Mr Laurenson has given notice of his intention to introduce the Licensing Polls Absolute Majority Bill, the object being to substitute the bare majority for the present three-fifths majority.

At Hokitika last week at the adjourned meeting of the Westland Licensing Committee an application for a license for a new hotel, called the Dominion, which had been adjourned from a previous meeting, was granted. The granting of the application means that Hokitika, with a population of 2240, now has 18 licensed houses. It is probable that some of the objectors to the granting of the license will apply to the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to quash the decision of the Licensing Committee.

Temperance advocates have prevailed on the Wellington City Council to have advertisements of alcoholic liquors barred on the backs of tram tickets.

Wellington Customs received £940 for beer duty last month. In June 1907 the amount was £833.

Ten o’clock closing for the Masterton hotels was instituted on the Ist inst.

Some of the wine stored in the cellars of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg dates from 1706.

If all the London public-houses were placed side by side, they would reach a distance of 75 miles.

It is stated that the total quantity of champagne despatched from the Champagne districts for the 12 months ended March 31 last was 33,704,618 bottles, compared with 33,171,395 bottles in 1906-7, and 35,591,135 bottles in 1905-6. Stocks in casks and bottles amounted to about 188,860,000 bottles, being the equivalent of between five and six years’ consumption.

At the Dunedin Police Court last week, Francis Porter, licensee of the Caversham Hotel, was charged with having, on June 13th sold liquor to Patrick Lynch while the latter was in a state of intoxication. On the day in question Lynch was under the influence of liquor, and next morning was found dead in a ditch. It was admitted that Lynch had a pint of shandy-gaff and a small glass of beer at defendant’s hotel, but defendant and his son swore the man was not under the influence of liquor at the time. Decision was reserved.

The Dominion Hotel, of Gloucester Street, Christchurch, has been purchased by Mr E. E. Daniels, who for a number of years has managed WarHotel. The Dominion Hotel is right opposite the new Theatre, and Mr Daniels who is so favourably known to almost everyone, intends to make a big name for himself in catering for the public in the very best style.

Of the hotels in the outlying suburbs of Auckland, there are few better known than the Royal Oak Hotel, for it is a well-known land-mark on the way from Auckland to Onehunga, while no less than six roads junction at the popular hostelry. Under the circumstancesit was only to be expected that it would be a favourite house of call with travellers, and so it has become. Mr Len Adams, mine host of the Royal Oak, sees to it that his customers get nothing but good stuff, no matter whether it be beer, spirits, or cigars, and as a natural result when passing they call again. This little fact is worth keeping in mind when out driving or riding in the vicinity of the old-established Royal Oak.

Amongst the private hotels in Wellington, there is perhaps none more comfortable than the Arcadia. A fine, large building, recently constructed, possessing every modern convenience and withal extremely well managed, it is only fitting that the Arcadia should be at all times full of visitors. The building contains four storeys in addition to a basement and a garden roof, while an electric lift carries passengers to any storey desired. The dining room is tastefully fitted up and occupies the centre of the ground floor. The

room has an extremely bright and inviting appearance, and the attendance is all that could be desired, the waitresses indeed being extremely efficient and obliging. On the same ■ floor' are the smoking and commercial' room,' lounge, etc. There are ample and well fitted up lavatories and bath rooms, while the majority of the bedrooms are roomy and well lighted. Mr Paterson, the proprietor, personally supervises the running of the establishment and makes an extreihely capable and Obliging host..

A license for a new hotel has been granted by the Westland Licensing Committee, • which means that Hokitika, with a population of 2240, has 18 licensed houses.

The plans for the Auckland Post Office have been amended by providing for one storey more than was originally intended.

The beer duty collected in Auckland last month shows an increase over the figures for June 1907, the amount that year being £lBO6 7s 7d. Last month’s had risen to £2117 6s lOd, an increase of £3lO 19s 3d.

Conferences have often been held for rather strange objects, but probably the' most extraordinary gathering of the kind which has ever been suggested is a congress to oppose the teetotal movement. It is being organised by the Brewers’ Institute of Berlin, and doubtless the trade in this country will be quite ready to send a large delegation to it. Its object, it is stated, is to protest against the exaggerations and encroachments of the teetotal movement, and it may therefore be assumed that all who take part in it will preach the virtues of moderate drinking. Whether there has been any decline in the. consumption of beer in Germany is not stated, but in any case it is hardly necessary for a conference to assemble for the purpose of promoting the knowledge and , value of moderate drinking. That .is| a cause which may fairly be left to defend itself.

Teetotallers will nbt derive much comfort from reading of the consumption of beer at the May brewing in Munich’s Royal Court brewery. Between the hours of seven in the morning and five in the afternoon in one day no less than 30,800 gallons of “ bock ” beer (a very light beverage) were drunk, besides 12,700 gallons of ordinary beer. Fortunately, perhaps, the guests ate as well as drank, ;and managed to account for 370,000 sausages, 4000 pounds of meat, chiefly beef, and a million “ Bretzeln,” a kind of salted cracknel ring, of which the Germans are very fond. Of radishes, a very favourite accompaniment to beer and sausages, so many were eaten that they could not be counted.