MAN DROWNED IN THE CLARENCE.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 166, 27 March 1869, Page 4

MAN DROWNED IN THE CLARENCE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, —But few of those persons who are licensed to sell spirits, can consider the moral responsibility that attaches to them, and which they cannot shake off—by far heavier than that legal responsibility they so commonly evade. If they did, we should not so often hear of accidents like this —the sad result of intemperance. These thoughts occurred to me as I saw the body of a poor man named Smith, who was drowned in the Clarence River yesterday. He had been cook at Mr. M‘Eae’s station during the shearing season, and afterwards had gone to the Kaikoura. He returned to the station • in a state of delerium tremens, and from thence he went to the Ferry. Here he was secured, but about dawn yesterday morning he escaped through the window. He w;as tracked to the river, which he had attempted to cross on foot. After this, little hope was left that he would be found alive, and in the afternoon he was taken out of the water, about a mile below the Ferry. An inquest would be held to-day. I regret that this is no solitary case. A month ago a man suffering from delirium tremens came to within a few miles of the same

place from the North. He fortunately recovered, though in a very exhausted state, and went on to his wife and family in Otago. I cannot think there is an innkeeper amongst us who would have sold this poor man the drink if he could have foreseen the consequence ; and I hope now they will reflect on this sad case, and put some restraint on such of their customers as are unable to restrain themselves. I am, &c., March 18,1869. Moderation.