'VARSITY MEN'S STORES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 110, 15 June 1914, Page 10

'VARSITY MEN'S STORES.

CO-OPERATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES. Quietly and informally, the shop of the newly-formed Oxford University Cooperative Society, the stores rim by 'varsity men for 'varsity men, opened its doors at the beginning of the new term.

It is a spick-and-span little establishment in the High Street right in the midst of all the colleges and the most ' 1 swagger'' part of Oxford's shopping locality, says an English exchange. Though the undergraduates have only begun to arrive in Oxford, there was every indication that this co-operation-de-luxe idea is going ,to be a success. Within a few hours of the opening of the stores the salesmen had disposed of £2O worth of goods. The public will be at liberty to patronise the stores just as much as the college men, but they will not, of course, be eligible to share in the profits of the institution.

Mr Eric Underwood, of Christ-Church, who is fcke lion, setretary of the society, told me that several of the things in the shop are being specially made. There is, for instance, a wonderful marmalade, which is privately made by a lady, who sells it only to the residents in Hampton Court Palace.

< 1 TWISTERS '' AT FOURPENC !<]

Then there is an extra special line in cigars, known as "Twisters," because .they have a natty little twist at the mouth end, which can be broken off without any bother about a cigar cutter. These cigars are also privately made, and can only be obtained in the officers' messes of certain regiments and in the House of Commons. Ju value they correspond to a sixpenny Havana, but the O.U.C.S. will sell them at fourpence each.

Another "line" of which the O.U.C.S. possess the monopoly in Oxford is a very superior and exclusive whole-fruit jam, which the makers have the privilege of sending direct to Buckingham Palace. The O.U.C.S. have had golf balls specially made for them, with their own stamp, by a famous firm. Thus they are able to sell a 2/6 ball for J/.9, a»d a 1/6 ball for 1/2. Golf clubs, they declare, are also cheaper than anywhere else in Oxford. By having them specially made, they are able to sell at 5/6 a club that would cost 6/6 anywhere else in Oxford. They also have a 4/6 line in hand-forged clubs which is the cheapest in Oxford.

Another feature is a compact luncheon basket for two at l-t/6, which is at least 2/- cheaper than it can be bought elsewhere. m

The honorary council of the society includes the Earl of Shaftesbury, Sir Horace Flunkett, Mr 11. A. Yerburgh, Mr Aneurin Williams, M.P., and Mr George Russell.