ASHBURTON AS IT IS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3045, 16 November 1908, Page 5

ASHBURTON AS IT IS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l notice in your issue of today a letter signed "J. Bridges," in contradiction to one which appeared in yours of yesterday regarding NoLicense in Ashburtion, and signed "J. A. Malcolmson." Now, Sir, I do not expect this letter to carry much weight, but I trust that it will be accepted as truthful. As one who has lived in Ashburton for four years under No-License, and has known "Mr Malcolmson" and his family for the past six years, I cannot stand by and allow him to be called a liar. I have certainly heard rash statements from both sides regarding the NoLicense question as applied to there, j but know they have been delivered unconsciously. This applies especially to the leading advocates of NoLicense living in that town, consequently "Mr Bridges" and others outside of it are really not responsible for any rash statements they have made, as this information is supplied by leading No-License gentlemen living in Ashburton; who are not in a> position,, and have absolutely no chance, of observing the true state of things in many and the most important respects; I consider "Mr Malcolmson's" statements to be absoluely truthful from my own experience. I am not sufficiently eloquent, Sir, to relate my four years' experience from the public platform, otherwise I would. In any case, I could do' little moreithan voice "Mr Malcolm*

I son's" remarks and detail actual instances to bear them out. Drunkenness and vies in Ashburton, Sir, is f simply "what the eye doess not ses ! the heart will not grieve," and I am positive that could our local NoLicense supporters only foresee the result of the coming "local option poll" there, they would hesitate before voting for what is an absolute farce. Thanking you for your valuable space.—l am, etc., GEOFFREY PORTER, Mechanical Engineer. Masterton, November 14th, 1908.