THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2624, 4 September 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Olohe.

Sir. —I noticed, in reading this morning’s “Press,” the remarks which the Resident Magistrate passed upon the unusually small number of oases of thuakenness which have bean before the Bench in Lyttelton during the laat month —only three In all. Iha Magistrate expressed It ai his opinion that this is owing to the pnbllo houses In Lyttel ton being closed at ten o’clock, under the new i icecsing Aot, instead of at eleven o’clock.

Now, sir, I think that every Licensing Committee should remember this feet when they sit again for renewal of licenses, and close all public houses at the o’clock. lam sure that ten o'clock is plenty late enough for any pars ;n to be drinking in a pubic house, and all respectable men should be in their homes by that time, if not earlier. The closing at ten o’clock world not be an Inconvenience to travellers or lodgers, as they would be able to obtain refreshment at any hour. I have noticed particularly that a great number of men who have to leave the public houses which close at t?n o’clock go into the first they coma to which has a midnight license, and stop there as a rule until closing time. Now it cannot he that midnight licenses were granted for the purpose of allowing men, who are already almost drunk, to congregate to their hurt, and yet the only purpose that 1 can find is served is this one. A midnight license certainly doss not conduce to the comfort of the inmates of the hotel, and, as I have already pointed out, it does not affect travellers getting refreshment, whatever time the house is closed. I fail to find any reason for public-houses being kept open after ten o’clock, and I sincerely trust that the vaiious Licensing Committees will stand by the law, and close all public-houses at that hour when they next have the opportunity, if only for the sake of the drinkers, Yours, &0,, NOT A GOOD TEMPLAB. Christchurch, 31st August, 1888.