RINGING THE CURFEW.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 226, 11 June 1915, Page 4

RINGING THE CURFEW.

AFTER EIGHT O’CLOCK. ON SALE OF BOTTLED LIQUOR. THE REASON WHY. It is now Impossible to buy a bottle of liquor at any hotel in Auckland for consumption off the premises after 8 o’clock at night. The matter . was brought before the Auckland Licensing Committee at its annual meeting last week, when Sub-Inspector Mcllveney stated that for reasons he was not at liberty to divulge, he had been instructed to put before the Bench a request that no liquor should be sold in bottles after 8 p.m. Mr. J. H. Pagni, on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, stated that the Association had already requested licensees not to sell liquor in bottles after 9.30 p.m. Mr, Cutten, S.M., remarked that this was a time when everyone had to make sacrifices, and he felt sure the publicans of xiuekland would comply with the request. The publicans did so, and the innovation has apparently worked satisfactorily. The matter was subsequently referred to by Sub-Inspector Mcllveney. Recently, stated that officer, the necessity had arisen for some such action as this. The police had been placed in possession of information of contemplated rioting, and though this had been dealt with at the time, it was considered highly desirable that the assistance of the hotelkeepers should be inv»k ed in the direction indicated. It was satisfactory to be able to state that the licensees had cheerfully acceded to the request made. Not only had they refused to sell liquor in bottles after S p.m., but they had posted printed notices that no liquor would be sold in bottles before 8 o’clock for removal after 10 p.m. The results were exceedingly gratifying, and tramway, railway, and ferry-boat representatives had alreadjr signified to the police their appreciation of the new rule which they declared had wrought a marked improvement already in the character of the traffic after 10 p.m. The Sub-In-spector added that drinking from bottle carried away after hotel bars were closed often led to a lot of trouble, and, in the event of contemplated rioting, would prove a serious*factor. _ Under the circumstances, it was a matter for considerable satisfaction that the hotel: keepers bad: : so heartily' adopted the suggestion, And that it had been ' attended by such excellent results. - Auckland Star. ■