THE TRUTH ABOUT INVERCARGILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3046, 17 November 1908, Page 5

THE TRUTH ABOUT INVERCARGILL.

ENORMOUS CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR. FIGURES THAT CANNOT BE DISPUTED. TELEGRAMS THAT SHOULD BE HEAD BY EVERYONE.

Yesterday Mr T, Porter, of Mastjrton, received the following telegram from Mr Bpry, of Gisborne, in conneOsiofi With the consumption of ' liquor in areas, etc., nr y request having SSen made for the I telegram, or any communication sent to Mr Barry on the subject: — "The President of the No-License League issued a challenge to prove the figures respecting the consumption of liquor in prohibited areas, and a comparison of progress with licensed district. SpecialJ accountants and a referee were appointed. The result, signed by the Mayor and President of the No-License League, proVed' Conclusively that 'The Trade' figures were correct and the League figures quite Mr Piesse, accountant, acted fo¥ the League, and Councillor SherMai? for 'The Trade.' The figures,' as certified, were published, and cati&ed a great sensation. The positibs'here is regarded as absolutely sdfe. All the figures were from official records only. It is a great victory for truth, honesty, and 'The Trade.'--Barry." Naturally as he was much interested, Mr Porter wired to the Mayor of Gisborne as follows: "Mayor of Gisborne, —

Mr Barry wires me that inqjiry re quantities of liquor consumed in NoLicense districts has proved, from the official figures, that the statements of the No-License Party were quite erroneous, and figures of Continuance Party proved correct. Please wire me if result as' above has been certified to and signed by you and the President of the No-License League." The Mayor of Gisborne replied as follows:

"Gisborne, November 16th. Porter, Master ton. —

Rev. Chatterton, President of the No-License League here, and I agreed to refer the figures to arbitrators, who unanimously agreed to the figures, which were checked from official sources, and both the Rev. Chatterton and I signed the same. These figures show the Invercargiil Customhouse returns only, and are as follow: —For, the year ending June last, 190,394J gallons; and for the two years prior to NoLicense,. 325,755 gallons; ditto for the two years since No-License, gallons. These figures do not include what can be sent in without" notification, if under one quart of spirits or a gallon of beer. —W. Douglas- Lysnar." [The originals of the above telegrams may be inspected by anyone interested at the "Age" Office.]*