Liquor on the Railway.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 85, 14 April 1904, Page 3

Liquor on the Railway.

(IVr i'ress Associatinn.) iIIJXTOIir.V, April 13. A deputation from the Council of the Churches anil temperance societies waited on Sir Joseph Ward with reference to railway refreshment rooms. The burden of the deputies' complaint was that Ihe rooms were open for the sale of drink 1 ail'ter 10 p.m.., when hotels were closed, and that bottles of liquor were sold there which resulted in many taking liryior to I'ort Chalmers. Reference was also made to undesirable scenes, especially on Saturday nights, and it was suggested that steps should be Takrn to prevent the public from getting access to the station precincts and that the bye-laws should be strictly enforced. Mr A. S. Adams contended that although the lease of the rooms provi'ded for Hie sale of bottles it. was ullra vires. a:id was over-ridden li\ a hye-luw. Sir Joseph Wan! said themaltcr had been causing e, erea! ileal' oi concern. lie was as desirous as the dr|Hitat inn oi prevejii 11 a,V uses, and it iuni i-i-. n detinri'-ly decided not to renew the licenses when the present ones expired. The Minister said lie would make inquiry as to how far the evils complained of could be minimised. As to* the conduct of some persons travelling during the holiday he was awaiting reports on the matter, and would therefore say nothing at present. He promised a full inquiry into various matters. The proceedings terminated with eulogistic references by two members of tbe riepil tali on to the state of affairs on the Auckland railways, where refreshment urranf.ymonts arjJ under CJovernment managemcnti

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