ANOTHER VOICE FROM MORNINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2664, 31 August 1871, Page 2

ANOTHER VOICE FROM MORNINGTON.

To th» JSditor. Sin,—Allow ms io »7 a few words ir reply to a letter in your issue of last night, in reference to the “ anticipated establishment of two hotels in Morniugtou.” Several letters hare already appeared in this daily papers on the samo subject, all emanating, 1 believe, from certain individuals in and out of Morriiiigton, who are endeavoring to pre vent that which is allowed and permitted by the law of tko land we live. in. From the tone of the letter I refer to, I cannot believe the writer is an inhabitant of Morniugtou, but one who has taken the matter up solely with the view of keeping the subject before the public until the licensing day arrives. If however 1 f w» wrong in thin, the writer

is altogether ignorant of the manners amf customs of his neighbors, or he what is not correct, with a view of misleading others. As to mb', liffl'dugh traffic in the place, it ikwollknown by those living in the township that almost every day one, two, and sometimesJfchreq gons, with six. and eight:: HorsfkieaicS^pass ' through Mornington on their way to-town from the country. Again, drays with wool often pass to and from the fellmongcrics ; besides’this there is daily traffic of coal (from (irebn Island), firewood, timber, and other articles, to various parts of the district. Altogether I feel satisfied we have mdrc : traffic on our roads and streets than any other township round Dunedin. As to the question, whether an hotel will pay. or not ? I presume the public have nothing to do with it. This is a matter for those seeking the licenses to consider. Three years ago a retail license was granted to one of the four’ stores mow in Mornington, and that 1 license, I am imformed., was abandoned by the proprietor for private reason?. I cannot then see why the magistrates should now be urged to refuse licenses, when the placs is so much larger than it was three years ago, ; I am aware a petition is in circulation, praying the- Bench not to grant licenses, to any hotel in the district. Sow this may be all very well, if ;good cause can be shown therein for the request so made ; but as to “ Mernington’s” reasons why the Magis tratos should pause btfore committing a "moral error,’,’ I think I need not reply. Their duty is to deal out even-handed justice to all parties, and no doubt this they will <lo. One more remark— ‘‘ Moniitigton ” asserts in his letter that our township is peopled chiefly by the working classes, he ffien alludes to their homely firesides, and afterwards states as his belief that the trade, done by those stores with bottle. license's, scarcely pays ;■ for ( the licensee fee: but lo ! all,, at. pneo, if these hotels are licensed, the scene will be changed, and the inhabitants become different individuals ; what is now a sort of Paradise will then become a Pandemonium, MOOO a year will.be spout in'drink. " Improvidence and demoralisation ” will be at their greatest height ; children starving ; homes deserted, “if nothing worse.” “Indeed, Sir, the picture is not too true, and the facts are not prominent,”, as stated by "Mornington," and this is my reason for replying tohij letter. In conclusion, I contend, without fear of contradiction, that for the size of the place, , and the number of its inhabitants, I do not know any place where such perfect order and quiet prevail as in our township ; and in :my bumble opinion these .hotels, which are situated at the extreme end of the district, will not alter matters one bit; they arc erec: ted for the accomodation of those visiting the cattle market in the Immediate vicinity, and doubtless before long will be patronised by such. I am, &c,, • Fair Play.