CHAMPAGNE CORKS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14134, 14 February 1910, Page 4

CHAMPAGNE CORKS.

WAITER’S COMMISSION. John Baker, described as a messenger engaged at the Houses of Parliament, appeared to a summons at Westminister police P'purt. on Doc. 14. at tbo instance of bis wife, who claimed maintenance on the ground of ■ desertion. Tbfe complainant said she bad been married twonty-fivo years; her husband; left her on December 3. lie was a .-i'"-;-; in the office of tbo Conservative Whip, and in addition to his salary had considerable “tips” at the end of the session—fropi VIO to £2O. Ho also had a supplemental income from waiting and champagne corks. _ (Laughter.) i\lr. H. Pierron (complainant’s solicitor) asked the witness to explain. Witness; There is a payment for the , brand on the corl|; sometimes it is Uu a cork, and sometimes 3d. Ho used to buv the corks from the waiters, who collected them, and draw the full commission on them bv taking them back to the firms' they belonged to. I have many times helped him to cut the tops off tho old corks. How much have you known him’ to rmt oii-tho corks?—lt varied—2ss and ,30s. Mr. Francis made an order on the defendant to pay his wife 16s 6d a week.