WINGATUI LICENSED BOOTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26713, 6 March 1948, Page 9

WINGATUI LICENSED BOOTH

Sir, —X had occasion on Saturday to be a patron of the licensed booth at Wingatui racecourse for the first and, I can assure you, the last time. On entering the booth I was met at the door by a rivulet of ale gradually widening arid deepening until it assumed the proportion of a large puddle at the bar. Being nauseated by this first impression, I stepped back to find one of the few dry places to stand while awaiting my friend to procure our refreshment. In doing so, I gave my attention to watching the serving of drinks in glasses supposedly washed in a kerosene tin containing more ale than cold water. Without further detailing this most important duty of glass washing, suffice it to say that my friend and I left the bar disgusted and still unrefreshed. I assume the licensee was granted his licence subject to certain conditions. Wa may presume that the controlling interests are more concerned with vo.ume of output rather than their patrons wellbeing but, Sir, where is our Health Depaitment?—l am, etc., Soapy Sam. [Mr L. G. de la Perrelle, secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club, to whom this letter was referred, stated that he had received no official complaints about the condition of the booth. A representative of the licensee of the booth said that the liquid on the floor was water and not beer. He added that the glasses were washed in hot water, there benig a hot water installation in the building The police had carried out several inspections during the day, and no complaints had been made. —Ed. O.D.T.]