LIQUOR TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13664, 5 September 1916, Page 1

LIQUOR TRADE IN AUCKLAND.

REDUCTION IN EECEIPTS. PEICES FOE MINES EAISED. (I'efT Press Association.) j AUCKLAND, Sept. '3. ' Local. hotclkecpcvs avc doleful over the results of the first .week of the operation of the regulation prohibiting "treating." It is stated that tho weekly totting-np of takings has revealed a serious shrinkage in the ease of nearly every hotel in the eity. In the majority of cases the proprietors decline to give any information as to the actual shortage, as it would only give jubilation to their sworn foes, the "wowsers." The licensee of one of the leading houses in the city, however, stated that his takings for tho week had shown a shrinkage of 25 per cent., and that'that could be tiikeiras tho general experience, Some take, the view that as customers are "educated" to the idea of the "solo" drink things will improve. On account of the steadily increasing cost of wines, spirits,' and beers, the Auckland Licensed Victuallers' -Association has decided upon a special new scale of prices affecting one or two drinks and all buttled goods, All liquors, three star brandy and port wine, and stout and port wine (which has lately come into fashion) are in future to cost 9d over the counter instead of (id. Tho price of all buttled liquors has been raised by roughly 25 to ;10 per cent., ami the' hotolkcepors contend that the new prices still leave a smaller margin of profit than on prewar prices.