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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 187, 29 July 1908, Page 2

PUBLIC CONVENIENCES. It is a fact often commented on that. Xew Plymouth is singularly deficient in its supply ol public conveniences, and we have several times drawn the attention of the authorities to this defect. The matter lias again been brought to our notice in ail indirect) way through a statement recently made that Sunday drinking in tlie Xew Plymouth hotels was not entirely suppressed. While we hold no brief l(Sr the hotel-keepers, we entirely repudiate the suggestion that Sunday trading is one of the evils of the hotel system in 1 this town. To state otherwise is a i-ross libel on a body of men who, we | honestly believe, are doing their utmost to comply with the law governing their licenses. Color, however, has been "iven to the allegation, because men have been, and are to be, seen almost, anv Sunday, as on other days of Hie week, emerging from the rear premises of' some of the more conveniently situated hotels. It is a moot point whether making use on a Sunday of the conveniences provided by the hotels does not constitute being "illegally on premises" within the meaning of the Act and whether hotel-keepers would not be wise, in their own interests, to absolutely close their premises against admission on that day. Were they to do so at the present time, however, before the Borough Council has madle. .rood the deficiency, they would miuie-: diatclv lay themselves open to as nine*' Abuse' from the public as they unwittingly arc responsible for by not providing the conveniences.