It is an interesting circumstance that an experiment is apparently to be tried in the United States in the direction of considerably extending the scope of prohibition, despite the conflicting and, on the whole, unconvincing evidence respecting its operation in districts in which it has hitherto been on trial.
Any prospect, however, of a more exhaustive and reliable test of the efficacy of prohibition offers promise of some clear gain, for the guidance of actual facts is very desirable in a case where controversy rages so keenly as it does in respect of attempts to make communities sober by rendering the sale of liquor illegal.
In conjunction with this news regarding the spread of prohibition in the United States, it is of interest to read that an order has been issued by the naval authorities at Washington to the effect that officers must be total abstainers at sea and in houses and clubs within the naval yards on shore.
The message is not, perhaps, so explicit as it might be, but it is evident that an innovation has been introduced which involves a rather bold step on the part of the Secretary for the Navy.
Intemperance cannot, of course, be tolerated in those entrusted with the great responsibilities that devolve on officers in a navy, but this action on the part of the authorities of the United States is strangely suggestive of a lack of confidence on their part in the superior officers of their fleet.
We shall no doubt learn that the new regulation is resented by many of those to whom it applies as an unwarrantable interference with their liberty of action. - By James Drummond, F.L. S., F.Z.B.
• Messrs J. Forbes and E. B. Rimington, of Christchurch, who are on a deer-stalking trip to the Hunter Valley, Lake Hawea, spent three days trying to catch some of the monster brown trout in the lake with rod and line.
There was, however (the Christchurch Press states), too much ripple on the water to enable them to do anything.
They caught a 4lb and a 5lb rainbow trout in a lagoon at the mouth of the Dingle, where they were liberated by the Otago Acclimatisation Society about two years ago. The fly used was a Hardy's Favourite. The fish were in beautiful condition.
A 12lb rainbow trout had been netted in lake Hawea, at the mouth of the Timaru Creeks, so they are evidently doing well there.
It was in this lake that an angler recently netted 29 brown trout of a total weight of 300lb.
• Capturing trout in Southland rivers by means of explosives, according to reports read at a recent meeting of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, seems to be a popular method of bagging the elusive fish.
The chairman approached the matter by inferring that the society should offer a large reward in order to secure a conviction.
Mr O. W. Wilson said that the use of explosives was a most dastardly act, as the fish had no chance of getting away, and he mentioned a case which had come under his notice when he had caught offenders in the act.
After discussion, it was decided that 25 should be offered as a reward to any person securing a conviction. - ODT, 10.4.1914.
