Original Correspondence

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 609, 16 May 1882, Page 2

Original Correspondence

LOCAL OPTION. To the Editor.

Sir,—Now that a poll is to be taken on the 20th inst., which decides for three years whether any more licenses are to be granted in this district, I wish to put one riling pertinently before the public. If the voters decide against granting any more, it simply means giving a monopoly of the whole district to one publican, consequently it follows the public must suli'er and take any sort of catering the monopolist chooses to offer. I am of opinion that one hotel is sufficient for the district, but take for instance a steeplechase, cricket match, or Agricultural and Pastoral Show in this central part of the Peninsula, being forced either fo allow this one man to provide refreshments or go without. Why this sort of thing would scarcely go down in autocraticRussia, and I hope the good sense of all interested in the welfare of this community will protect us from so great an evil. It is well known that the sale of privileges are estimated in tho receipts of these meetings, and what a nice thing it would be to put it into any man's power to say,' *' I'll give you a £1 for the booth and if you don't take that you shall go without refreshments." Possibly, as Chairman of the Licensing Committee, I may be censured for this, but I would rather lose my seat than forfeit the liberty of the subject.—Yours, etc., HENRY PIPE!?.