DEMAND FOR BEER IN ROTORUA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28784, 3 January 1959, Page 10

DEMAND FOR BEER IN ROTORUA

Supplies In Hotels Almost Exhausted

(New Zealana Press Association) ROTORUA, January 2.

An unprecedented demand for draught beer in Rotorua hotels in the last week has led to more than one embarrassing moment for management and frustration for thirsty residents and visitors. The supply on New Year’s Day was not quite as bad as the theme of the current hit tune, M A Pub With No Beer,” but neither was it as good as some members of the population would have liked it. •' One public bar in town was as silent as the grave at noon yesterday, the result of an exceptional amount of business the . previous day and delay with the arrival of the replenishing waggons from out of town

In almost every hotel it was impossible to buy flagons or jugs as lower level's in tanks forced a rationing of beer for this service and it was reported that when a tanker arrived late in the afternoon three gallons of beer only remained in the tank of one hotel.

“It has been almost impossible to keep pace with the incredible. demand for draught beer this Christmas,” said one publican today. He suggested the situation was a repercussion of the Budget—most people were buying beer instead of far more expensive spirits.