ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 628, 21 April 1852, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New Zealaxder. Sin, — In looking over your long- list of Correspondents on Publican^' Licences I begin to consider if there is not a belter and more equitable way of reducing Public-houses nnd the increase of drunkenness tbat appears to pievail. (Supposing- that the Justices would adopt such a plan as this : — To consider how many Public <houses aie requiied in Auckland and its neighbourhood — so many in Queen-stieet,&o many in Shortland-stieet, &c, and so many in the country districts, say that they came to the number of 20, and that there are .'j(J applicants for Licences, whom they think are fit and pioper petsons, and have the necessary accommodations, and put them and the ir housc-s on the List of Candidates for Licences, and sell the twenty Licences by Auction to the highest biddei, making the upset price say £ JO. I am of opinion that such a plan as this would not reduce the levenue derived by this business, and would make it more equitable and fair, would jeduce the number ol Public-houses, and make them more respectable. I ennnot see how the Justices can with fanners select this one, and the oilier one, and give them the hber'.y ol making fortunes by tiie business of beggar mailing, and withhold it from others who li.ive just as #ood a light, whether they be new applicants or old veteiaus in this buiiness. Ido not tlnnlc it na;ht for Government to countenance the retailing of intoxiciting d r inks in this way at all, but if it must be — let it be in some fair and equitable wny to every subject. A Lovnn ot Fair Play and Uoni^i Dialing