BOOM IN BEER

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1944, Page 6

BOOM IN BEER

At Invercargill Bars

SATURDAY’S OPENING RUSH.

EXTRA BARMEN REQUIRED.

P.A. INVERCARGILL, July. 1. Restoration of licensing to Invercargill was ushered in this morning by the three bars doing a roaring trade, while the Brown Owl restaurant was packed from ten onwards. The streets of the city were thronged, despite the wintry weather, with crowds doing a round of visits. There were many curious onlookers lined up on the footpaths opposite the hotels, while others stepped across to enter the premises with a' somewhat self-conscious but defiant look. The pulse of the city seemed to have quickened' to-day, and the people were in a convivial mood.

Some customers showed slight signs of intoxication, but this was due more to excitement than the consumption of liquor. The lounges in the hotels were patronised by several women. As the day progressed more barmen had to, l?e employed to cope with the trade. In the Brown Owl liquor was served in addition to the usual tearoom facilities, but it was none by waiters, while tea and other refreshments were served as usual by waitresses. ♦, P.A. ’ INVERCARGILL, July 2.

The opening of hotel bars in Invercargill, after a period of 38 years of no-license, was celebrated 'with enthusiasm on Saturday, when business was commenced in the four licensed premises, the Kelvin, The Clyde, The Appleby and The Brown Owl.

At all four places, business was exceptionally brisk between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and again between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The three bars and the res- ! taurant were crowded throughout i every hour of the six that they were ( open for business, and there was no ■ let-up for the barmen, waiters, ana ' other attendants. If this rate of business could be ; maintained, there would be no doubt I about the ■ Invercargill Licensing i Trust not only making profits; but substantial profits. However, Satur- • day was a special occasion which, ■ many people considered, called for an ' unusual degree of conviviality. Besides, for many people who could not remember the time when Invercargill i had hotel bars, there was the appeal j of novelty. 1 As one man put it, “at the moment hotel bars are a nine-days’ wonder in Invercargill. This attitude to the bars will soon pass, and they will be accepted as part of the normal life of the city, as they are in other places.” The Trust will probably have to wait for another festive occasion before it aga ; n experiences a volume oi business comparable with that done on Saturday. SYDNEY INTEREST. (Rec. 9.10.), SYDNEY, July. 2. ~ The New Zealand liquor licensing experiment in Invercargill is being watched with great interest in Australia. The establishment of the Trust is described editorially by the Sydney (“Telegraph” ns “an experiment in civilised drinking which throws into harsh relief Sydney’s hoggish beer swilling habits. Instead of being at the mercy of greedy publicans, who say when and how what you shall drink —and then throw it at you—the citizens of Invercargill are being encouraged by their Licensing Trust to drink comfortably and decently.”