THE LICENSING COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4312, 21 December 1876, Page 4

THE LICENSING COURT.

To the Editor. Sir, —I noticed in your paper of Thursday last a letter on the above subject, signed "Matau." I am rather surprised that a resident of Port Chalmers should consider it his duty to judge as to whether Ravensbourne should possess an hotel or not. He says the majority of the inhabitants are working men, and by his arguments they do not possess the good sense to judge right from wrong; and that if the hotel was opened they would be continually (inside spending their hard earnings in drink, and ruining themselves and. families. Now, sir, lean tell "Matau" that it would not be prudent on his part to tell us so individually, or he might find himself in the same condition as his namesake, s.s. Matau, on his beam ends. But apart from " Matau," I consider the decision of the Conrt a great injustice, and that the weight of evidence was again bt the verdict. When I tell you, sir, that more than two-thirds of the inhabitants are in favor of the granting, I think you will agree with me that the Court exceeded its duty in refusing it. What I consider, sir, should be the law with regard to the granting of licenses to hotels in townships outside Dunedin is, that the Road Boards should be constituted Licensing Courts, and its members would, I am sure, study the views of the inhabitants, and then justice would be meted out to all parties. In conclusion I would ask "Matau," through you, whether he does not reside in Rothesay instead of Port Chalmers? If "Matau" replies to these queries I may, with your permission, trouble you again.— I am, &c, "Yelrgc. Rothesay, December 18.