CHAMPAGNE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 83, 3 July 1928, Page 5

CHAMPAGNE

MR COATES OBJECTS. A HARD JOB. | x PAHIATTJA, July 2fi An amusing incident took place a-tl Ngaturi on Saturday afternoon during the Premier's visit to open, bridges. Mr Bolton, county chairman, handed Mr Coates a bottle of champagne to christen the new bridge with. 1% was with a show of reluctance tWife Mr Coates balanced the .bottle in his hand. "Haven't you got an empty one'?", he asked. Mr Bolton, the chairman: "Has any lady or gentlemaiii got a dead: marine?" (Laughter.) "It's got to be done, ladie s and j gentlemen," 7 ' said the Premier, and turned to perform the fell dead 1 , .hut again paused reluctantly. "Has anyone got a'dixie?" but no digger could oblige. "Well, I. don't like doing it, but we'll have to christen the bridge thoroughly," he remarked, as ho aimed the fatal blow after several taps. Mr Coyvtes also showed similar reluctance with the champagne bottle at jMahgatninoka, saying: "It's the hardest job I have liad to do for ai long time; I don't Jike it a bit."