PUBLIC HOUSES ON THE GOLD FIELDS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 893, 7 June 1871, Page 2

PUBLIC HOUSES ON THE GOLD FIELDS.

[to the editor.] Sir— Permit me, through the columns of your paper, to draw attention to one of the many evils existing on these gold fields. I allude to the public houses, the owners of which appear to recognise no hour in closing them. I may mention the dance rooms in particular. They are kept open until one and two in the morning, Sunday morning not excepted. This unlimited license suits the proprietors very well ; they are making a very good thing of it, and a few others who choose to display their Terpsichorean performances until an early hour in the morning, spending their money and getting poison and misery in return. But it is a great source of annoyance to the more quiet residents living in the immediate proximity to these places, and who are desirous of securing some rest during the night. I think, where police are stationed, it should be one of their duties to see that the holders of licenses comply with the conditions of their license. It would, in a great measure, tend to keep good order in the place, and there would not be so many midnight brawls, which make the approach of night unpleasant. It is only a few weeks back that a row originated in a licensed house at Napoleon's, at two o'clock in the morning, which resulted in one of the parties being struck with a bottle, inflicting a dangerous wound, and the other getting four months' imprisonment for the offence, which cost the Province about LSO. The same sort of thing will be occurring here, unless some steps are taken to prevent it by tho3e whose duty it is to do so. I am, &c, One that don't sell Whisky. Half-Ounce, June 4.