CORRESPONDENCE "LICENSING ELECTION.—A FEW FACTS."

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 167, 27 March 1903, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

"LICENSING ELECTION.—A FEW FACTS."

To the Editor.

Sir : The subscribers to a Nelson paper were lately favored by an inset having the above title. I trust that you will find room in your valuable paper for a few further tacts.

Mr Atmore, whose name appears as the author, seems to be a supporter of the liquor trade. The motto with which he concludes his remarks would lead us to believe that Mr Atmore only wishes us to be "moderate" supporters or his party. But Mr Atmore state? that the value of the produce sent from this district aione to supply the brewers with materials reaches "the grand total of ,£87,085." This does not look like "moderation" in the manufacture of beverages that are at least not needful to a healthy man ; such a sum would alone go far to supply all the other drugs and medicines used in the whole of the colony. And does Mr Atmore wish us to believe that the present state of the liquor traffic represents "moderation" in its use ? In New Zealand the average amount consumed per head for each man, for each woman, and for each child, is 7-}- gallons of beer, 3J gallons of spirits, and ij gallons of wine (vide N.Z. Annual, 7899). I think none of us will agree with Mr Atmore in calling that moderation. Now one of the few proved methods of reducing this enormous consumption of spirituous liquors is Prohibition. Should we then not vote tor it ? Even if we only wished to moderate the gross evils that are patent to everyone, -and did not wish to altogether abolish them, still the step to be taken is Prohibition. There are some of us who would go further than that, and educate the children to the danger and evil of drink.

Be ye moderate in all things," as quoted by Mr Atmore, would seem to be culled from the classics ; my acquaintance with literature is not sufficient to enable me to say from which. But in case some people might be misled by its; biblical I would like to point out that it is not toundin the Bible. There is, indeed a text verysimilar in appearance: " Let your moderation be known unto all men" "but the word "moderation" should be translated as in the Revised Version, " forbearance, ' or "gentleness." Might I suggest a quotation that is le*s misleading.? » Touch not, taste not, handle not. I am, etc., E. S. Dukes.

Messrs Thompson Bros, Wellington wired at 2.52 p.m. today : "Very heavy shipments have arrived and the market is overstocked with apples and pears."

The Nelson Jockey Club's autumn meeting is to be held at Richmond Park next Wednesday and Thursday. The acceptances for all events are numerous and some real good sport may be looked for.

Not content with the interest centred upon him by his performances in the img, the elephant at Fitzgerald's circus (writes a Palmerston correspondent) attempted on Sunday night a little unrehearsed performance. While two men were standing near the stable door looking at the elephant the animal stretched out its trunk, seized one of them round the waist, and then proceeded to batter him against the wall. Fortunately the partition gave way before any very serious harm was done, and the noise having attracted the attention of the elephant's keeper, the man was rescued from his danger! ous predicament. Although a number of bad bruises had been inflicted, there were no injuries likely to prove serious In a letter to Mr J". W. A. Marchant, Surveyor-General, one of the New Zealand surveyors sent to the West Coast of Africa last year states that the health of the whole party continues excellent. Next month they will commence their first annual furlough of four months on half pay Passages to and from England will be given free. I There are six hundred and twentyone names on the roll of the Masterton District High School, with an avera«© attendance of five hundred and sixty- | one, and a per-centage of ninety

The latest news received c meerning the health of the Very Rev. Dean Mahony, of Nelson, now in Dublin, is not so favorable. It is stated that he lias suffered a relapse, and is now dangerously ill. . The Greymouth Harbor Boa-d are sending 20 gallons of oil fromjthe Doh sou borehole to Wellington for analysis and expert report. The flow of oil and petroleum butter is still in evidence, and gas continues to blow in considerable quantity. Additional regulations under the Public School Teachers' Salaries Act aie published in the "Gazette." These provide that if the average attendance at school for any quarter falls below a

certain point, the Board may substitute for such average attendance either that of the corresponding quarter of the previous year or the average attendance for the quarter ending December 31st of the preceding year. Amended regulations relating to attendance resisteis and returns are also published!

Mr Justice Oonolly stated at New Plymouth that if a man called another a liar tht user of the term would pro bably be knocked down by the other, but there could be no action for slander

The Hastings Standard says . So bounteous and unhampered was the hospitality of the Gisborne bowlers that, it is said, the big drum of the local band was placed for the jack, and one player missed it by 1 8 feet. An excellent shooting peiformance took place at Pelichot Bay range (Otago) on Saturday afternoon, when Sapper Macdonald, of the Engineers, put on the possible with seven shots at 500 yards, and, continuing his shooting, registered 16 successive bulls' eyes. All employes in the telegraph service in the Transvaal have a fortnight's holiday granted them each year, with six months at the end of three years —three months on full pay, and the remainder of the term on half pay.

Rotary ploughs are being used with success for road making in some of the East Coast districts. The steel di>es cut into the hardest ground, and with the- help of a scoop roads in a level country can be formed at a cheap ~ate.

According to a southern newspaper the cook on one of our coasting boats sent for a 5s ticket in Tattersall's sweep on the Caulfield Cup. To the stewardess he said, "I'll give you half of whatever I win." On the arrival of the vessel at Townsville the other day a wire was waiting for the cook, and its contents advised him that he had drawn first prize—about .£6750 net. He immediately sought the stewardess and advised her of his luck, at the same time saying, "I have to give you .£3375. What do you say to taking me and the lot?" The offer was accepted, and on the arrival of the vessel in Brisbane the pair are to be married.

SPRAINS are often more serious thim broken bones on account of not being properly treated Apply Chamberlains Pain Balm freely as soon as the injury is received and it will quickly restore the parts to a healthy condition A, Manoy sells it.