INCREASE OF HOTELS IN GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 99, 6 May 1901, Page 3

INCREASE OF HOTELS IN GISBORNE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In your current issue it is stated that the above is likely to become an ac- ' complished faet. Surely the existing eight hotels arc sufficient in the sleeping and boarding accommodation which they afford to meet all the requirements of the district. The temptations to drinking and drunkenness as presented to the European and Maori races are abundant enough, and greatly in excess of what is for the good of the public and those engaged in the manufacture and sale of necessaries of life. If they fully realised the tremendous impetus which is givon to their businesses by the non-consumption of alcoholics, they would unitedly strive for a great reduction in the existing licenses. When Father Matthew conducted his grand total abstinence mission in Ireland, so that scores of thousands ceased drinking whiskey, etc., all other branches prospered immensely from the increased earning powers which was produced by sobriety, and the diversion from the deleterious channel into useful and healthful channels of labour. King Edward will allow no licenses on his Sandringham Estate. Bessbrook in Ireland and Sattaire in England, each with a larger population than Gisborne, have no licensed houses. They have large sums in the Savings Banks, few, if any, policemen, no poor, little or no crime, reading rooms, literary institutes, aud general prosperity ; no idle hangers about at street corners, or homes rendered miserable by the sad drinking habits of one or both of the parents. Are there uo Bands of Hope in connection with the churches, and efforts, made by the various ministers of religion and 1 churchgoers to educate their hearers as to the dangers and evils created by the licensed liquor shops ? Large sums have ■ been paid for the goodwill of some of the > existing ones quite recently, showing that l their incomes must be enormous. —I ; am, etc., , „ ; A Citizen. i May 4th, 1901.