DRUNKENNESS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3211, 10 June 1909, Page 5

DRUNKENNESS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

MARKED INCREASE. By Telegraph—Pres3 Association. v CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. At the annual meeting of the Lyttelton Licensing Committee today, the police reported a marked increase in .drunkenness during the past six months. They were not prepared to state that any particular house was responsible for this, but the increase was so marked that it was quite evident that licensees were not so particular as they should be, or had been, in the conduct of their houe.es.

The Chairman (Mr tfishop, S.M.), on behalf of the Committep,remarked that it was a curious fact that the increase had taken place during the period which fitted m with the time cf the taking of the local option poll. He urged licensees to put their houses in order and instruct their employees not to supply** liquor to those unfit to receive it.

Mr Hoban, who appeared for "The Trade," said that licensees regretted very much that there had been an increase in drunkenness, but during the past few months there hud been a grea increase in shipping, which had contributed to the stale of affairs. He mentioned that licensees had discussed the matter at several meetings and had decided not to apply for an extension of the closing hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., and this should be put to their credit Mr Bishop said that he was always prepared to give credit to decent licersaes who were trying to better the-condition of things.