A SHACK IN THE KITCHEN

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 5

A SHACK IN THE KITCHEN

MAGISTRATE’S MEAL EXPERIENCE IN HOTEL [Special io tub ’Star.’] AUCKLAND, June 4. The chairman of tho Manukau Licensing Committee (Mr F. 11. Levicn, S.M.) passed some severe strictures on the inadequate provision of proper men Is at the Post Office Hotel, His comment was made when presiding at the annual meeting of the Licensing Committee, held in the courthouse at Onchiinga. After the police had reported, on tin; general conduct of the hotels, Mr Levicn said ho had had occasion to go to the Post Office Hotel foi’ dinner one day. Ho had to search tlie place to find the dining room, and when he did find it there was no provision made for a midday meal. Eventually he was , met by a stout old lady, who said, in j answer to his inquiry for a meal, that ! if ho would go with her into the kitchen ■ she could give him some cold beef and potatoes. The police had reported favourably on tho genera! conduct of the hotels, added Mr Levicn. That might apply to the sale of liquor, hut from his own experience he could not i say the same of the provision made for | supplying travellers with more solid refreshments in the form of hot meals. Such inadequate attention in this direction was detrimental to tho other I hotels. He understood the hotel had | changed hands since then, and that | the present licensee was meeting the requirements of the travelling public in {, that direction. There ought (o' be places, in Onehunga where one could get a first-class meal at a reasonable price.

Mr J. Rowe, who is an old resident of Oiiehuriga, expressed his regret that Air Levicn had been put to such inconvenience as not to be able to get a good meal at an hotel in Onehunga. ° The Chairman laughingly remarked to Mr Rowe that lie (Mr Rowe) might start a restaurant in Onehunga on modern lines. He would probably do well at it. Mr Rowe replied that he might not be sufficiently up to date for the job. Mr Fallon, the solicitor who appeared for the present licensee of the hotel, assured the committee that his client was providing proper meals for travellers and others.