DRINKING - Nov 21, 1914

Although on the whole the general conduct of the soldiers has been exemplary there is a certain section

who abuse our hospitality every Friday and make hideous on the Wellingborough Road, and in that

neighbourhood, by their drunken quarrels.  It is no unusual sight on Friday night (pay night) to see as many

as thirty men in uniform in varying stages of intoxication obstructing the road and pathway quarrelling.

The civil police, perhaps because they have instructions, do not interfere, and the military police are either

unable, or unwilling, to take the necessary steps to stop these disorderly scenes.  Surely the military authorities,

for the honour if the regiments stationed here, if for no other reason, should repress these individuals with a

firm hand and the sooner it is done the better.  The publicans are primarily to blame, for if they carried out the

licensing laws with a little less regard for their pockets such scenes would to a large extend disappear.  Surely

the publicans are already reaping a good harvest by legitimate trading with the male population so largely

increased, and if they cannot or will not protect the soldier from himself, the soldier must be protected from them.

I hear that the licensing justices of the town are seriously considering the closing of public houses at 8.30 p.m.. to the

civilian population as well as the military.  This would, however, be a drastic step which is hardly justified, and

is certainly not fair to the army of boot operatives who are now working very late every night and would thus

be deprived of a form of recreation which many enjoy and are entitled to enjoy.  Such a step would produce for

them a state of all work and bed, and would also be a reflection upon the town for statistics, so far as the civilian

population is concerned, do not justify such a measure, as Northampton enjoys an excellent reputation for the sobriety

and law abiding character of its citizens.