STOPPING THEIR DRINK.

Patea Mail, 14 July 1882, Page 3

STOPPING THEIR DRINK.

The benefit of the. much abused Licensing Act is being felt in Patea. Two orders have now been granted to prohibit dealers in liquors from supplying to those whose inordinate love for alcoholic drink has overpowered their self-restraint and brutalized their senses. Under the 167 th section of the Act, friends can make application (or the police will for them if sufficient cause is shown) to the Courts, for an order prohibiting publicans within tiie district from Manutahi to Waverle} 7 , supplying those of their friends with drink who are considered drunkards “ within the. moaning of the Act.” Patea luckily l ' has but few unfortunate victims of intemperance ; and judging from the commendable activity of the police, these few will soon be under the controlling power of the Act... The police appear to be securing them one by one, and they will find, I have no doubt, that when the entreaties of wife and children have failed to restore them to sober habits the law will take them under its protecting wing, and it is to be abped will ultimately be successful in bringing them back-to habits of sobriety. Any well-thinking man will no doubt consider it as part of his duty to render the authorities every assistance in.his' power to bring about this much desired result. Much credit is due to the Sergeant of police for interesting himself in these cases, as be not only relieves society of a social evil, but by keeping such men from drink happiness is restored to many a home, where drink brought misery, poverty, and shame.

Adelphos,