JOHN BULL AND THE DRINKTRIPOS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 1350, 12 June 1907, Page 8

JOHN BULL AND THE DRINKTRIPOS.

Whatever reputation John Bull may have for thirst, it is gratifying (says the Sydney Herald) to learn from figures published by the Board of Trade that he really takes quite a modest place in the international drink-tripos. As a beer-drinker, ii is true, he ranks second, with the German as a very close proximo accessit ; but he is quite eclipsed by the Belgian, who in twelve months actually disposes of 336 more glasses than himself; while the Bavarian, who helps so liberally to swell, the German average, beats the Briton by 389 glasses in the year. , As a winebibber, John takes a poor sixth' place among thirsty nations. For every glass of wine he consumes the Belgian drinks approximately 4, the Australian 4.7, the German 6, and the Frenchman the enormous number of 125. As a spiritdrinker he ranks still lower in the list, for he iB beaten by seven countries, although it is a close thing .between him and- the Australian, Canadian,, and -Russian, only one-twentieth of a gallon separating the first of the four from the iast. For every glass of spirits j the Bri--^L drams the American accounts for .38, the Frenchman for 1.5, and the (reman for 1.57. And yet John Bull manages to drink (per head) 443 glasses of beer, more than a bo&le. and a-half of wine, and nearly five and a-half bottles of spirits in twelve months.