LITTLE RIVER HOTEL QUESTION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 99, 29 June 1877, Page 2

LITTLE RIVER HOTEL QUESTION.

■(TO THE EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL.) Sir, —In common, I believe, with not a few others, I have taken great interest in the matter of a hotel for Little River. The application for a license, judging from similar applications, I suppose, would have been granted. I know that there is a very considerable population in the district, probably three or four hundred. I knew besides, that in Akaroa, there is a license to every 150 of the population of the town. And further, I know, that in Pigeon Bay, Little Akaloa, and Head of the Bay, a hotel is supplied for populations not larger than that of Little River. It was therefore, what I fully expected, that the license would have been granted for the latter district. But it was not. The Xiftle River people did not want a hotel. They, moreover, did not sit with their hands on their knees, looking in despair for its coming. On the contrary, they went to work, got up a petition, put themselves to inconvenience to present it. They backed it up strenuously and manfully. And, as they deserved, they gained the day. Aye, they gained a victory, worth fighting to obtain. The curse of drunkenness is for a time kept out of Little River. Peace in families, food and clothing for wives and children, money in the bank ; these are preserved—and not only for the Maoris, but the white man also. Rejoice at the result, and say, all honour to those who stood by the cause of society, peace, and order. But further, a lesson has been taught by this affair, which it were well we should learn. To me it expresses volumes in favour of Mr. Stout's Local Option Bill. I feel certain, that were the question of planting hotels left to the people, we should have fewer of them than we now groan under. It is not the people who want hotels or publichouses It is Mr. so and so, who hastes to make rich, as he supposes. It is the temptation of license fees and customs duties to the Government —thence come our publichouses and wholesale licenses, without number. Talk of accommodation for the public is simply bosh in nine «ases out of ever}' ten. The ease with which licences are generally obtained shews that licenses ought not to be in the hands of commissioners, and the stand taken by Little River shews—if the people had their way —we should have fewer drinking facilities. Yours, &c., TRIPLEX.