THE MERCER REFRESHMENT ROOMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1428, 27 August 1881, Page 2

THE MERCER REFRESHMENT ROOMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Persons going to and fro to Auckland have an opportunity of staying 20 minutes at Mercer for refreshments, which, no doubt, i" duly appreciated. At Mercer there is the Railway Refreshment Rooms, and the well-known hostelry of Mr Dillon, the Railway Hotel, situated a few yarda from the station. Upon the arrival of the up train on Tuesday, I, with several others, was greatly amused and, I must say, annoyed. As soon as the train stopped I made all haste for the Railway Hotel for luncheon, and knowing that I had 20 minutes I thought it was ample time to regale the "inner man." I had no sooner had my plate passed to me when a bell rang, and despite the entreaties of the worthy host that there was ample time, two or three jumped up and made straight for the station. To my surprise, when I got there, I found that I had been deceived, and instead of the station bell it was the dingle from an old cow bell hung round an old stager at the back of the opposition refreshment root^s. I enquired of one the meaning of this, and he told me that five minutes after the train arrives the quadruped is made to move about, thus enabling the bell to ring. This is rather a good joke. For the future I shall know better, and be up to the move. — I am, &c, Hamilton. August 24, 1881.