THE LUNCH AT THE RACECOURSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6440, 3 December 1881, Page 3

THE LUNCH AT THE RACECOURSE.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

Sir, —I noticed in your report of the Wellington Spring Meeting an objection to the charge of a half-crown for the luncheon in the grand stand, which, I think, is hardly fair to the caterer.

If you take into consideration that there was the lease of the booths to pay for, then the cartage of the provisions to the course, waiters to be found, and many incidental expenses to bo provided for, which anybody who has catered for the public on a similar occasion well knows of, I do not think that you will find the price charged too much. On the refreshment tables I saw tongues, hams, beef, mutton, lamb, and salad?, which variety I think should be quite sufficient to satisfy any man at a race meeting. Your reporter suggests that a shilling only should have been charged; but I do not see how there could have been any profit made at that price, considering the bifore-mentioued expenses. Your reporter very fairly states—“ln other respects, the lessee of the booths left noreason for complaint.” The reporter of the “Evening Post” pitches into the caterer in a moat unjust manner, and states that “The refreshment department in the grand stand was disgracefully managed,” and winds np by saying that “ The hungry customers were mulcted of their half-crowns.” How “ mulcted J” They saw what refreshment there was, and paid for that which they ate. I fail to see where the mulcting came in. Surely, nobody expected to gat a dinner of three or four courses. He also writes of the “ general disorder but there was only the ordinary bustle of a race meeting ; in fact, I never saw leas disorder at any meeting of this kind. I write this in simple justice to a man who appeared to be doing all he could for the convenience of his customers.—l am, &c.,

Fair Peat. JNobody would have complained of the charge of half-a-crown had the provisions been of the desired quality, which they certainly were not. Our reporter heard nothing but expreasionsofdisoonteutregarding them while he was iu the luncheon-room. Our correspondent is certainly in error when he insinuates that the people saw the refreshments before they paid, because the charge of half-a-crown was made immediately upon entering at the door. To us fault-finding is always a matter for regret. —Ed. N.Z.T.