Board to be Raised

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 173, 25 July 1939, Page 4

Board to be Raised

REASONS FOR ACTION BY WELLINGTON PRIVATE HOTEL HIGHER COST OF LIVING Per Press Association WELLINGTON, July 24. The approach of the centennial celebrations is being viewed with mixed feelings by the boarders of one large private hotel in Wellington. Last light, in response to a notice from the management, they assembled in the fitting-room and were informed that in three months their board would be raised and that no new permane-J Doarders would be taken. Addressing the assembled boarders, the manager prefaced his announcement with a reference to the increased cost of living. The price of foodstuffs and commodities generally had increased enormously during the last 12 months. Vegetables which had formerly cost £32 a month now cost £45. Groceries had risen from £67 6/5 to £BB If-. The bill for coal and coke now totalled £l6 9/-, as against £ll 9/a year ago.

Milk was an item which was causing the management concern. A previous management had bought three gallons of milk daily and added to it a gallon of water. The present proprietor had discontinued this practice and supplied four gallons of milk t but the requirements had risen to more than five gallons, and it was still necessary to buy extra milk.” In reply to a question, the manager said that the increase would not exceed 5/- a week. In a number of cases, rooms which at present contained two beds, were capable of holding three, and it was intended to place the larger number there during the centennial. The manager went on to discuss proposed economies. It was not proposed to reduce the table, he said, but he intended to keep an eye open in the kitchen to see that there was no waste. For months past, the manager said, there had been an epidemic of petty thieving, which meant a loss to the hotel. He had no idea who was responsible and he appealed to boarders to make a special effort to detect the thief. Discussing the announcement after the manager had retired, a number cf the boarders were gloomy but resigned. ‘‘They’ve got the wood on us,” one said. “We know that if we don’t like it we can get out. You couldn’t swing a cat round in my room without giving it concussion but yet I’ll have to pay £2 a week. It comes hard parting out half one’s wages for board.”