The Magic Tables.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 66, 17 March 1908, Page 2

The Magic Tables.

'' FORTY CUSTOMERS STAMPEDE | FROM TEA ROOMS. Wishing to extend their tea rooms at \ 310, Regent-street, the Misses Rosina and Lisa Isidor bought, through a friend, eighteen bamboo tables from the Bamboo and Upholstery Company. Limited, of 34, (Ireat Eastern-street E., at 2/9 each. j They have not paid for these tables, and the Bamboo Company sued them in the | Shoreditch County Court for £2 9/0. The j sisters counter-claimed for £l» 1/4, which included loss of profit on forty custom- I crs, and Miss Lisa Isidor explained the reason to the Court. She sttited that after the tables were placed in the room a peculiar smell was noticed, but nothing much was thought ,of it. On Sunday afternoon, the next I day at two o'clock, when the room was | j opened, the odour was so shocking that I the windows had to be hurriedly opened. ! ( I-aughtcr.) The smell was perfectly j disgusting, said Miss Lisa. Mr. Lesser (for the defence): Then 1 what, happened ? —When the room had I been aired a, bit we let in forty people, j hut they stampeded down the stairs, .complaining of the horrible smell. (Laughter. I J Then a man called from the plaintiff's. i didn't he?— Yes, and he said that they I had best be put. out in the open for a , | fortnight lo air. (Renewed laughter.) Did he give yon an alternative? —Yes, Ito wash them in Condy's fluid. (Loud J la lighter. I Mr. Cassin (for tho plaintiffs): Of I what did the customers complain?—Of i i the smell of dead rats, but I thought iti . was rotten glue. (Loud laughter.) 1 What about, the man who came from the firm V—All he did was to rave and I stamp about the place, and say he was I the father of seven children—(roars of I laughter) — and 1 hadn't denied it. | (Renewed laughter.) j Mr. Pearcc. in the employ of Messrs. White.leys. said he thought the wood used iin the tables had been previously used , for packing rotten cheese. (Laughter.) His Honor {examining one of tho j • tables): Phew, there's a pretty strong I smell about it now. j The Witness: Yes, your Honor, that's , i.ie "acidy" smell you get from rotten cheese. (Roars of laughter.) His Honor: This table is wet now, and smells mouldy, and has even got mould on it. » For the plaintiffs it was stated that all the tables were specially picked out by the defendants' representative, who, however, was now too ill to attend. The tables were quite dry when sent out. They were of opinion that some oil or something had been spilt, over them. His Honor said he would adjourn the for the attendance of the witness who was ill, and meanwhile the table j could remain in Court, to see if it im- ! proved in condition.