Waimate Bay of Islands 26th. November 1872. My dear Sir, I trust you will not consider me trouble some, but my duty compels me again to draw your attention to the sale of spirits by Mr. Hargreaves in this place. That I have good cause for doing so, I may mention that I have been informed that the consumption of spirits is not less than 50 gallons per week, or at the rate of 2,500 gallons a year. Now the native population within a radium of 10 miles from Waimate, is from 700 to 800 souls, women and children included, thus giving an average of more than 5 gallons per head per annum. I believe that Hargreaves' wholesale licence expires at the end of this year; and I earnestly implore you to use your influence to prevent its renewal. Our hitherto quiet community is disturbed by drunken mobs on the night of almost every Court day. I tremble to think what might happen on one of these occasions. A store was broken into a few weeks ago, and money to the amount of £5.0.0 taken away. If you are unable to prevent the renewal of Hargreaves' licence, will you kindly advise me what to do, for I dare not see this mischief going on without doing my utmost to check it. Yours very respectfully (Signed) E.B. Clarke Archdeacon.