THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. SATURDAY, AUGUST 9. 1873.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 98, 9 August 1873, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9. 1873.

." The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KlkG JOHN, ACT IT.

During discussion, a few days ago, in the House of Representatives, upon Mr Fox’s Permissive Bill, the Premier very truthfully observed that the adulteration of liquors was a considerable cause of drunkenness, and stated that it was the intention of the Government to take active measures to prevent, as far as possible such, adulteration. We are very glad to hear this, for the amount of poisonous drink daily consumed in the colony must be enormous. Those who serve out these filthy compounds to their unfortunate customers should, when detected, be publicly exposed, in addition to being severely fined. We believe a law exists for preventing the adulteration of food. Then, by all means, make a law —and a stringent one, too—against the sale of unwholesome and adulterated liquor. "We have no hesitation in asserting that half the drunkenness for which the colonies are, alas ! getting notorious may be traced to, and be proved to arise from, the vile stuff sold in the place of good, wholesome liquor. W*e do not say if only good liquor was sold, no drunkenness would exist, because the experience of ages proves that at all times and in all countries many may be found who will abuse the use of drink—in the same way as others, again, abuse the use ot food; but gluttony in fermented liquors reveals itself in the shape of intoxication, whilst one who confines his greediness to food only, however much ho may suffer therefrom, does not necessarily expose himself to the world or become a public nuisance or scandal.

ihe authorities are very properly most anxious to assist in putting down this curse of drunkenness by removing adulteration, yet we think there are one or two instances where the action of the Government actually appears to favour, not only adulteration, but the sale of poisonous drinks. We allude to the present system of rationing and supplying the colonial forces in various districts. Hations are tendered for, the successful —■ that is the lowest—tenderer having the sole privilege of keeping a canteen and selling alcoholic drink in a particular district, to the exclusion of allcomers. Now, it would not be difficult to prove that the rations are supplied by these canteen, keepers at a losing price, the contractor depending upon his liquor sale to make up the loss on provisions. In outlying places, with heavy transport charges, it is almost impossible to sell good liquor at a sufficiently remunerative price to cover all costa. The Government must be perfectly well aware of this, and yet they have, in more instances than one, accepted tenders for the supply of rations at so low a price that it was tantamount to an admission on the part of the contractor that

Sic was prepared to lose largely in order to have the privilege of soiling drink. Wc sav again the Government, by adopting such a [dan, encourage adulteration ; and before the campaign upon unwholesome drink is commenced, we would recommend them to wash their hands of tin’s wretched canteen system —a system which is most degrading and, in every sense of the word, pernicious to all parties concerned.

At the beginning of the year it was our pleasing duty to chronicle a report of the Taurauga races. Every one considered the Meetfof ’73 a great success, the oulv regret being that the course, though near to the town was not larger and better suited to the occasion, both on account of the races tnemsolves anti the convenience ot the spectators. AVe were informed at the time that a largo reserve the other side of Greerton had been made for the express purpose of a race course, and one day took to personally inspect the site. Erom its position we do not think a better place in the whole district could be chosen. It is perfectly level for upwards of half a mile, whilst a low range of hills, running the whole length of the western side, provides unlimited room for sightseers, commanding, as it does, a view ot the whole course. Erom inquiries since made, we found that the site in question was really so reserved ; and believe that on a proper application being made by the Jockey Club, nominating at the same time responsible trustees, the land would be duly handed over by the General Government. Taking all these things into consideration, we cannot help thinking that great apathy has been displaced by the members of the Club in not securing such an eligible addition to the public estate. Tauranga, at present, is particularly behindhand in the matter of public grounds, and such a property, affording facilities for out-door recreation of any kind, should not be allowed to slip away.’ The reserve might be rendered valuable in more ways than one, and if fenced and put down in grass, would provide an annual sum towards race expenses. Besides, races should not be looked upon merely as a source of amusement. By exciting emulation amongst the owners of horses, they tend to improve the breed of annuals ; and who would not prefer to have the district in which he lives noted for its superior breed of horses rather than, on the other hand, to be proverbial lor containing nothing but “ rats ” or “ screws.”

We trust that the Jockey Club will wake up, and at an early date”take active steps to secure to the public a proper race course, so that the nest merry meeting may be on our own ground.