Lunches Will Remain In Whangarei Bars

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1939, Page 7

Lunches Will Remain In Whangarei Bars

Counter-lunches in Whangarei are not endangered—at least, not at the moment.

In common with hotelkeepers in Auckland, those in Whangarei are sceptical as to the result of the decisiori reached by the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association to reduce drastically counter-lunches. Provision of hot. lunches in Whangarei hotels has been customary fox only a matter of 12 years or so. Previously, biscuits and cheese were set on the bar all day. One hotelkeeper, expressed the opinion that the public had been spoilt in this connection.

The majority of patrons, he said, did not bother about the food supplied but, on the other hand, there were a few regulars who consumed everything upon which they could lay their hands. Work Involved. Inconvenience of preparing hot savouries at 11.a.m. and 5 p.m., especially at rush times, when guests for race meetings, etc., were accommodated at hotels, was commented upon by one Whangarei publican. Just when his services were required urgently in connection with the preparation of the meals, one of the kitchen chefs had to devote a couple of hours to making the counter lunch. Patrons, he said, would be surprised if they knew how much the hotels were giving away for nothing. Little Extra Service.

Another hotelkeeper todß the opposite view that serving counter lunches involved little time or trouble.

Winter sportsmen, who visited hotels for a few drinks after a match, especially appreciated the service. Many of them came from the country districts, and a little bit of food provided across the bar counter tided them over until they were able to get a late tea.

“Beer drinkers have come to look upon their counter lunches around about five o'clock. every evening as their due,” he said. “It is regarded as a luxury—a little extra which mine host provides. Our main problem is planning a variety of menus.” Occasionally, in Whangarei as elsewhere, competition between two houses has created a ridiculous position, in which counter-lunches have been provided in lavish quantities out of all proportion. However, as yet, there is no suggestion to change the present practice ■locally. “If any move were made, it would have to be a united one by all the hotels in the district—otherwise, there would be a rebellion,” commented one in close touch with the trade. “One On The House.” The “shouting” issue does not arise in Whangarei as much as in the south or in Auckland. There is no practice of giving “one on the house” on a fixed afternoon every week, or of the fourth drink being supplied free. Some hotelkeepers as a rule leave the matter entirely to the discretion of the barjnen—a policy which they have found to be entirely satisfactory.