THE MIDNIGHT EXTENSION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2623, 2 September 1882, Page 3

THE MIDNIGHT EXTENSION.

To the Editor of the Globe.

But, —I see by your issue of yesterday the Licensing Committee for Chrlatchurch North held their quarterly meeting at the R.M. Court here. The Chairman requested Inspector Broham to give his opinion as to whether the closing of the houses at ten o'olook had any effect on the reduction of drunkenness, and that gentleman's answer was that be '' had seen no diminution of drunkennooa during the ten o'clock licenses." If the Chairm»n had put the question vice versa the Inspector oould have Informed him no doubt that there was an increase of arrests for drunkenness of 50 per oent. for the,. July aud August months of 1882 over that of 1880 and 1881. So muoh for even a fe.w twelve o'clock licenses It would be well for the Committee to put the question to themselves what the consequences may be If all houses are open till midnight. Mr Thomas appeared yesterday in behalf of Mr Amjoa, and informed the Committee that his client had loßt at the rate of £350 per year through having to olose at ten o'clock. After some explanation by Mr Thomas, the extension was granted to Mr Amyes Most people would say, What have the Committee to do with the monetary losses of Mr Aymes P The answer is plain. The Committee closed his house at ten o'clock for three months; they on this occasion sympatbised with him, And extended his license till midnight, and very jußtly too. It is to be hoped the Committee will extend the same amount of fairness and sympathy to all other applicants for a similar favor. I know the mind of the people on this question, and what they relish best of all is a spirit of fairness. We love equal and impartial justice, although executed against ourselves, as it is sure to be if extension is granted. Open house tiil midnight means extra police, heavier calls on charitable aid, larger gaol accommodation, and a more numerous body of officers for gaol duty, extension of our asylums, and heavens Knows what else besides. If those things come to pass, 'ere loDg we may be heard giving faint cheers for tae Licensing Committee, not unlike Dickens' description of the grestlngs that met Squeers on his return to Dotheboy's Hall, namely, " sighs of extra strength, with the chill on." Yours, &c, OBSSEVER.