A PROCLAMATION BY 100 OAMARU CITIZENS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3045, 16 November 1908, Page 6

A PROCLAMATION BY 100 OAMARU CITIZENS.

In order that the false assertions ' that are now being made about 3amaru may be effectively answered, 100 business and professional men have been interviewed, and have ' attached their signatures to a declaration stating that they believe his Worship the Mayor's answers to the Rev. T. Stinson's questions are a fair statement of the position. The letter and signatures appear below Rev. Thomas Stinson, The Manse, Timaru. Dear Sir,—l beg to acknowledge receipt u±' your letter of the sth instant, in which you say that statements have been published in Timaru to the effect that No-License has hindered the progress i of Oamaru, and that the town is in a bad way financially because of the carrying of No-License, and you ask if 1 would send you answers to certain questions bearing on the subject. I must say at once that both statements are contrary to fact, and as they are calculated to have an injurious effect upon the town I consider it my duty to reply to your questions in order that the true position may be understood and the the town's good name protected. While there has been no "boom" in Oamaru, it cannot be questioned that the town during the last few years has made very substantial progress and there is at the present time every indication of an increased measure of prosperity being realised and of continued progress being made along sound lines. Your first question is: "How has the value of property in Oamaru been affected by No-License? Has it been necessary to increase the rates?" In reply, I have to say that No-License came into operation on July Ist, 1906. The annual rateable value of town properties as appearing on the valuation list of the borough was then £38,202, while the present value is £40,533, an increase of £2,331 in the annual rental value (not the capital value). While it would be impossible to enumerate all the contributory causes at the back of this satisfactory condition of things to point out just what effect No-License had in connection with the advance made, it is a wellrecognised fact that No-License has at least not hindered the progress of the town as indicated by the figures just given. There is also no doubt that the prosperity enjoyed in recent years has to a great extent been brought about by the cutting up of ,large estates contiguous to the borough and tie closer settlement of the whole district. An additional factor' has been the good' prices obtained for our products. Jt has not been necessary to increase the borough rates. On the contrary, the Council while not curtailing its ordinary expenditure for the year, has been enabled' to reduce the rates by 3d in the £ as from April Ist last. The reduction was _niade possible owing to increased revenue from rates, gas, watei* supplies, rents, etc.

The second question is:—"Do you think business generally has suffered?" No. Business generally has not'suffered. It is true that the severe drought of the season 1906-7, from which North Otago suffered probably more than any other district in the Dominion, considerably affected the volume of trade, and

(Reprinted from the "Oamaru Mail," May 23rd, 1903.)

that retail business to some extent was also affected .by the International Exhibition at Christchurch, but owing to a more favourable season having been experienced, business in all its branches is again very good. The speedy recovery which has taken place from the effect of the drought speaks volumes for the soundness of business generally.

Your third question is: "What has been the effect of the new j order of things on the building trade: Has there been any noticeable falling-off in the number of houses erected?"—l cannot say what effect No-License has had on the building trade, but it is well-known that for some years the building trade has been very active, and of late it has been found impossible to supply the demand for carpenters locally, and one firm of contractors informed me that they have been obliged to advertise in Danedin for men, in order to keep pace with their work. The borough books show that more new houses have been erected during the last twelve months than during any other recent jfear. Your fourth question is:'"How has No-License affected crime? Kindly give figures if they are available."—The Court records show convictions for the eighteen months preceding No-License, and the like period under No-License as follows, viz. :

Eighteen Eighteen months months ended ended Dec. 30, Dec. 31, 1906 1907. Drunkenness 285 34 Other offences. 155 108 440 . 142 In respect to the 34 cases of drunkenness, I am informed on reliable authority that a large proportion of these persons who arrived in an intoxicated condition by railway

trains, while the ten convictions for offensive behaviour on railway trains were the result of attending a picnic at Timaru. Question 5: "Do you notice any change in the moral tone of your town since the closing of the open bar?'—Apart from arrivals by train, there is practically no drunkenness, and order in the public streets is very much improved. In saying this, Ido not wish to be understood that public order was not good previous to the operation of No-License. Oamaru has always been law-abiding, but nevertheless, with drunkenness reduced to a minimum there is a very notioeahle improvement. Order at large public gatherings such as the Agricultural Show, Caledonian Games, etc., is a distinctive feature of the assemblies, and among the thousands of people present, it is a rare thing to see a drunken man. Faithfully yours, ROBERT MILLIGAN, Mayor. Oamaru, May 11th.

In order that the true condition of affairs in Oamaru under NoLicense may be authoritatively established we, the undersigned, hereby affirm it as-our belief that the Mayor's answers to the Rev. T. Stinson's questions are a tair statement of the position, as it is in Oamaru at the present time.

(Here follow the signatures of 100 business men of Oamaru).