THE CIDER DENS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2658, 25 July 1889, Page 2

THE CIDER DENS.

TO THK KIMTOK. Sin,—l must crave a little space in which to reply to Mr C. Jarrett's letter, which appeared in last issue, as nearly the whole of it is inaccurate, and is cdculated to convey a wrong impression to those who do not live in our township, and consequently are not cognizant of the evils arisising from the unrestricted sale of cider. Mr Jarrett states that I "have attacked him in such a manner." Well, Sir, I thought I had cloaked the matter in as mild a form as possible, I could have put it in a damnatory manner, but carefully avoided mentioning any names ; but as the cap seems to fit Mr Jarrett, he had bettor wear it. He next says he doesn't believe there is any misery caused by the cider in the township, "outside the writer, or the writers', doors." I presume the latter part of the sentence is intended to intimate that the whole of the misery is in my house. Premising that my deduction is correct, I may as well relieve my Jarrett's mind by informing him that my abode is not troubled with misery; and I may add that it has never yet been, nor do I think it ever will he troubled by any of hi.s cider. He seems very irate that I should call his place a den, and retaliates by saying it is more respectable than my "don." I do not object to the term, in fact I rather like it, and think of altering the name of my house to "The Den ;" it would, however, be mums the cider. I think the title sounds some what chic, and savours of an Old Country family residence. lam like Lady Jane in the Opera of Patience," crushed again," for I thought I had surmounted the difficulty, as I really did not know what to call Mr Jarrett's establishment. It is a cross between wheelwright's shop and a cellar. In England it would be designated "The Coal Hole," " The Shades," or some such euphonicious name. Mr Jarrett continues : "As for people getting drunk on my premises, J can deny any such thing, as people are more respectable than "Resident" thinks they are, when he puts them on a level with himself." Phew!! I could deny that I wrote this letter, but then I should be a pervsrter of the truth, and as the law of libel is in an unsatisfactory state, I must decline to give chapter and verse; but if Mr Jarrett will consult any of his neighbours, I think he will find they aro of opinion that there has been many cases of drunkenness from ciderdrinking in Cambridge. Does he remember an old gentleman falling off his horse into a turze bush, after drinking two quarts, and having to be pulled out heels first. The individual who told me about it said that, the old gentleman had been a eiderdrinker in the Old Country, where ho could drink three quarts and then go home so'ier, but that two quarts of the New Z.ialand stuff had stitched him up.» I may add that Mr Charles Jarrett was my informant. [ have no objection to be upon the same level with the cider drinkers, as long as they keep the right end up, He next explains that I had intended to say " that he had complained to the authorities," and not as I had put it that the inhabitants had. I am deeply grateful to Mr Jarrett for endeavouring to interpret my meaning; but "he is in his old place, wrong again." I meant exactly what I wrote, vra., that the inhabitants had complained. He goes on to state how I had concealed the fact of my having been threatened with being locked up if I went grumbling again. Crushed again ! But I have never heen grumbling, nor have I ever been locked up, or even threatened with such a dire mishap. Again, Mr Jarrett puts words into my mouth that I never said, viz., that I say he is anxious to get a license. What I s.iid was that I was told so ; and I believe that some months ago he would have taken out a license had he known where and what sort of a one he required. Perhaps he has been to Auckland, consulted a solicitor, and finds that it is not necessary, and now forgets that, he ever had thought of taking one. I know his [ memory is defective, as it was illustrated at one of the first meetings held in our Public Hall to discuss the cemetery question. "Another Fraud " can doubtless take care of himself ; but I chink in that case .Mr Jarrett has, as he lias with me, evidently " got the wrong pig by the ear." for I don't think "Another Fraud" ever wrote sermons. 1 know of much misery that is caused by the cider drinking, and should Mr Jarrett wish to hear further on the matter, I have still a few shots in the locker.—Yours, &c, A RKSII)T!.\T.

TO THE EDITOU. Sir, —In your issue of Thursday " A Itesident" speaks in very strong language re " Cider dens." I wish to say, [ think his letter a scurrilous and cowardly one. In the first place he shows a good deal of venom in the way he styles the cider factory, and in the second he states what is absolutely false. I am quite sure the drinking of cider has not been the means of causing misery in the district, neither do persons get into '' a beastly state of intoxication" through drinking same. I consider the expressions used are a libel on a respectable citizen, and unfair to the district, for I am living in view of the " Cider Den," and anything of the kind could not possibly have escaped my notice. Regarding " A Resident's'' questions and remarks re Licensing laws, 1 may say I think ho is quite right in trying to obtain all information possible upon the .subject, but at the same time consider lie should refrain from abusing an unoffending individual.—l am, etc., Another Resident.