, 1875-07-07
PR G DIN GS
obR TH5K
COLONIAL COUNCIL FOR ST. CROIX.
COMMITTEE REPORT
On the DRAFT of Ordinance Respecting
RumshOps at St. CrOix.

having being Joined by the undersigned
Faber and Jollitfe, who were elected IN the
Councils Meeting on 25th January Iast'
come to the conclusion, that when new en-
actments are to be given on the subject IN
question, a change ought to be made IN
regard to the exclusive privilege or
monopoly which the now existing reguIa-
tons give Rumshops to sell not only Rum
but also imported Liquors in smaller guam
titles than 5 Gallons "a monopoly which,
however, it has not been possible sufficient
ly to protect, because it is a great
Inconvenience to the Public. The
Committee is, next, of the opinion
that that change should be effected
not by merely substituting % Gallons
Il Demijohn), instead of 5 Gallons, as the
limit for the privilege TO Rumshops, but
that it should be effected in such a
manner, that there should be given
Merchants access to sell imported Liquors
brandy, Gin, etc) also by the Bottle;
this being the only way to arrive at the
accommodation which the Public appre-
ciates, e. rapseiy, that people shall be
able from a merchant with whom
they otherwise deal to buy also those
articles of good quality and at a reasonable
price, without having to buy at one time
a quantity SO large that it costs s to 10
dollars AS regards Bum we believe
that there is no great desire to buy it by
the bottle from merchants the sale in
smaller quantities than 5 gallons of this
home made article (Rum from foreign
places is not in the market), should there
fore, as hitherto, be reserved for the Rum
shops, which should also continue to have
the monopoly of retailing other spirits in
smaller quantities than l bottle billiard
keepers and tavern-keeperg, however, of
course retaining the same right as hither-
to to serve liquors to customers on the pre-
misses. Agreeable to the Placard of 1915
Rumshop-keepers were PubIfc-house-keep-
ers too, and as they, under the
subsequent extension of their privileges
with regard to retailing spirits, have re-
tanned the privilege to serve common
eatabl es, we think that thi@ privilege
should remain.
The adj ustment of this whole matter
which the Committee has come to the
conclusion to recommend, would necessari-
ly lead to alterations in the Draft submit
ted to the Council, so essential, that the
Committee thought it best to frame the
annexed new Draft of" Ordinance concern
ing the sale of Spirituous Liquors and
concerning Rumshops in the towns in the
Island of st. Croix." The 8 first para
graphs define the rules for the privilege of
retailing spirits in accordance with the
above remarks ; to which we should here
add, that that part of the business which
.i~sproposed to be withdrawn from the Rum
~shopkeepers' monopoly should note ipso be
open. to any merchant or trader, but must
be made dependent on q license, and
. low tax should be paid ON such business.
1t will, then, as hitherto, only be in guam
titles Of S gallons or, more, that spirits
can be sold without special license Ii. e. in
accordance with the general enactments
concerning trade), SO however, that the old
ruqleerthat spirits imported in casks or boxes
may be sold ins their original packings
oven, If they contain less than S gallons,
which .rple had been omitted id the Gov
efanin5enft's &. draft, without any reason being
given therefore, should be retained.
JisThsa following 4th to 18th paragraphs
contain special rules concerning Rum
4b6psst and in this respect, the old arrange
Inants have been preserved. az is the case
IN the Governments draft, only with soma