TEN O'CLOCK BAR CLOSING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1903, Page 2

TEN O'CLOCK BAR CLOSING.

A misting convened by the committee I formed to promote the success of the J candidates for the Licensing Committee pledged to support 10 o'clock closing of hotel bars was held at Westown on Thursday evening. The attendance was not large, but those present were in full sympithy with the object in view. The Rev. S. S. Osborne, who presided, explained that the candidates for j whom votes were asked were pledged ' only to closing bars at 10 o'clock, and on all matters connected with the administration of the licensing laws would exercise their own discretion,. being guided by what they deemed was best for the public good. He emphasis ad the importance, both oa moral and physical grounds, of closing at the earlier hour, pointing out that while , no hardship would be inflicted on any '; oqo, a great goad wou'd accrue. He I urged all present to do bast to secure the election of the Candida' es pledged to 10 o'clock closing. | The Rev, F. G. Evans s'rongly sup ported the appeal for securing the re--1 turn of the candidates referred to. He j claimed that there was no need for th'i bus to be kept open till 11 p.m., and J tbat this additional hour had proved to j bo a great temptation to many to remain in the bars and frequently de- , I grade their manhood by intemperance, • He mad« a powerful appeal for support in the efforts being made to remedying the existing evil. The Rev. W. R. Woolley also spoke, ' warmly advocating the cause, and several of those pressnt intimated their 1 intention of giving all the assistance in \ their power to secure the return of the 10 o'clock committee, a resolution to that efteut being passed unanimously

A similar meeting was held in the: South-md schoolroom, but no particulars w«re sent to us. Owiog to attending to other matters, when our j reporter ieach-d the building he found it closed, so the proceedings musi havej been brief.