TRADE TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 311, 9 July 1896, Page 10

TRADE TOPICS.

The latest addition to the list of licensed victuallers is Mr H. Harrison (formerly private trainer to Major George’s racehorses), a very popular man with the residents of Ellerslie, and as he has taken the Harp of Erin Hot>l there, he will, we feel sure, make this well-known hostelry a comfortable resort for the homeless hirsty ones. Manawatu Hotel, at Foxton, is perhaps one of the oldest established hotels in the Manawatu district, and, even during the many years that it has been in existence, it has maintained its respectable position amongst the licensed houses of the district. Mr T. P. Williams, a former proprietor, made the house a favouriteresort, and the present landlord (Mr C. H. Harrison) has proved a worthy successor to any of the former landlords. If Mr Harrison, jun., is not well known, his father must be well known to old identities, as Mr Harrison, sen., was editor of the Wellington Independent— now the N.Z. Times— many years ago, and at one time represented Greymouth in the House of Representatives, defeating the late Sir Patrick Buckley at the election for the seat. We do not know whether Mr C. H. Harrison has any political ambition, but we think that his present desire is to keep the accommodation of the Manawatu Hotel right up to date, so that patrons to the house may depend upon receiving every comfort. There is good stabling accommodation in connection with the hotel. In answer to a question in the House, the ■tfPfihitr 'stated that tStTinspectors appointed the “ Alcoholic Liquor Sales Control Act” are supposed to see to the conditions of the hotels, get samples of liquor for analysis, prosecute if necessary, and assist the police generally in the carrying out of the licensing law.

Many years ago, no matter how well a man was doing in business, the same old building would do for the transacting of such business, irrespective of the discomfort to customers, but that oldfashioned way is much changed, and if a man wants to do well in business now-a-days he must have presentable premises, and then have them furnished in such a manner that even the most fastiduous cannot raise a complaint. When Mr George Ross determined to re-build the Royal Hotel, close to the Government Railway Station, Wellington, he made up his mind not only to put up a building with some pretentions to architectural effect, but also decided to furnish the building after the continental custom, so as to afford luxurious comfort and all the modern hotel conveniences. The building is three storeys high, with a due proportion of sitting and smoking rooms to each floor. The hotel is lighted throughout by the electric light, which reduces to a minimum any chance of a fire, and should this occur each floor is supplied with fire escapes. The furnishing of the house has evidently been undertaken by someone gifted with good taste. The close proximity of the Royal Hotel to the two railway stations in Wellington also make it invaluable to passengers who are desirous of catching early morning trains. A lady philosopher has arrived at the conclusion that, although woman is justly blamed with having t empted man to eat forbidden things, he took to drinking of his own accord. For some time past it has been the habit at the meetings of the Masterton Licensing Bench to require every person who takes the oath to contribute the sum of one shilling to the exchequer. Every formality in connection with the Act is required to be proved on oath, and matters which any other body of people would take official cognizance of have to be sworn to, and the person taking the oath has to contribute the sum of one shilling. A local paper has gone to some trouble to ascertain under what legislative enactment this charge is made, and finds that under an Act passed some years ago a charge may be made. Quoting from the New Zealand Year Hook, Mr Sievwright, in his lecture at Oamaru (says the North Otago Times), showed that, while drunkeness had decreased, there had been an increase m crime and insanity; and (quoting from Mulhall) he showed that whereas the amount spent in drink by England had more than doubled, the poverty had been reduced by half within the same time. It was therefore fallacious tc assert, as Prohibitionists did, that a decrease of drunkenness meant a decrease of crime, poverty, and insanity, or vice versa. At Rangiora a youth of eighteen took a prohibition order out against his father. The latter appeared in court half-an-hour later to oppose the application, but as the injunction had already been granted, he was informed that he was “ too late.” He then threatened to go home and “ break the neck ” of his promising offspring, whereupon the S.M. suggested that the son should bind the father over to keep the peace.

The Wanganui Herald takes Mr Gilbert Carson, editor of the Wanganui Chronicle, to task for his statement at tne Prohibition Convention, that there were only three hotels in Wanganui properly conducted. Of course this is one of the “ faddy screeches.” The Herald forms its own conclusion, but ours is that the Sunday-school-teaching Gilbert is trying to get even on the majority of the licensed victuallers in Wanganui for having kept him out of parliament so long ; and if his latest effort, or screech, does not urge them to renew their efforts to keep him out a little longer we shall be much mistaken.

In the District Court at Masterton last week, Judge Kettle dismissed the appeal of D. Johnston, hotelkeeper, of Martinborough (Wairarapa), against a conviction by Mr Hutchinson, S.M., under which he was fined £2O for allowing drunkenness on his premises. Costs were given against Mr Johnston. Gent, after the banquet : “ P’liceman, shay can you show me w’ere I live ? ” Policeman : “ But I don’t know you.” Gent: “ That’s aw’ri my wife will introdoosh you ! ”