LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2166, 16 April 1870, Page 2

LICENSED VICTUALLERS.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir— lt must be very pleasing tp all those who take an interest in the welfare and happiness of their fellow-men, to observe that influential body, the “ Licensed Victuallers,” coming forward on the side of morality and against vice aud intemperance, and, as stated by the deputation before his Honor the Superintendent, they were not only willing to assist the Government with their influence, but also willing to pay a large sum towards carrying out the object they had in view—viz., putting down the evils above stated. However much I may admire their zeal, I do not agree with the plan proposed by them, and will now submit for their consideration what I think will have the desired effect. I will not at present go so fully into details as may be necessary for an Ordinance, but will be most happy to assist them in framing one. In the first place I would considerably reduce the number of hotels, and would make the number in proportion to population (I am referring only to the City iu these remarks) —say one for every thousand of inhabitants, and that would give us about a dozen first-class hotels. I would not allow those hotels any public bar, but would coniine them to their legitimate business—that of supplying accommodation to travellers ; but at the same time I would allow them to supply all those living with them with any kind of liquors. I would next propose that a class of shops—call them taverns or gin palaces, as you please— should have the supplying of the thirsty public with nobblers ; but f would not allow those tavern-keepers to take in boarders, nor should they require any accommodation for travellers ; and thus, by having less expensive premises, and having less expense with servants, it would enable them to sell a better article, and at a cheaper rate than is at present done. I would not on any account allow any bar, or any drinks to be sold, in connection with any public place of amusement, such as theatres, &c., &c. It must be patent to everyone that there are great evils connected with such a system. I would next do away with the bottle license to grocers, but would, at the present time, have one or two large places centrally s dusted, where liquor by the bottle should be sold, and, in fact, I think they should be wholly under the management of the Mayor and Councillors —the same as the gas-works—as I believe it might yield a large revenue to the City. I would next restrict all wholesale licenseholde.s from selling in small quantities, and from selling to any otner than those who are to retail or sell it over again to the consumer. As stated above, I shall be most happy to go further into details if required, but at the present time will not occupy any more of your space.—lam, &c., Alpha, Dunedin, 16th April, 1870.