CHOPS & CHANGES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 470, 27 July 1899, Page 18

CHOPS & CHANGES

“ Lucifer, Son of the Morning,” willlook after Richardson all right in the sweet by-and-bye, and I do not think Satan will feel much sorrow in toasting the lying, blaspheming “ orator.” Has the City Council the right to charge the annual license fee for billiards ? The matinee at the London Alhambra, resulted in a cheque for £SOO being sent to the secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Schools. The Hertz case drew the opinion from Mr Seddon that a magistrate should have discretionary power in the matter of license The Right Hon. the Premier says the position of the publicans is unbearable, and that some beneficial alteration in the law is necessary for them. The Rev. F. W. Isitt arrived in Auckland on Saturday, but contrary to “Washington” Richardson’s statement, he did not put in an appearance at the Wharf or at the Firebell. The Right Hon. the Premier on Mr Tommy Taylor: “ During the last half-hour we have been listening to a speech which would be a disgrace to any Parliament. It has brought the House down to a level that I never anticipated seeing in this colony. It shows that when men are wrapped up in a given subject it almost borders on the insane.” The Rev. W. J. Williams and Mr French would have us believe that Clutha is a Paradise where all the inhabitants are angels without wings. According to Mr Taylor, * ‘ some of the greatest scoundrels in the world were sly-grog sellers at the Clutha,” while Mr Morrison, M.H.R. for Caversham, says the “lying in vogue in Clutha” is awful. Mr Tommy Taylor, M.H.R., has copied Richardson I He has taken to street orating. On Thursday night he addressed a meeting in Mercer Street, Wellington, on thesubtect of the fines in the recent sly-grog cases at Clutha. TheS.M., Mr Stratford, came in for condemnation at Mr Taylor’s hands, because he had inflicted “absurd penalties.” Mr Tommy Taylor, the junior member for Christchurch, has given notice that he will move the following resolution in the House of Representatives : “ That this House is of opinion that the decision given by Mr Stratford, S.M., in the Clutha district fn connection with the recent slygrog prosecutions, are calculated to bring the law into contempt in that district.” The fact that Mr Hulse’s arguments were un» answerable roused the lowest passion of Richardson, Spedding, French, and Co. —a nice “ unlimited ” company that—and they could only abuse Frank Lawry," who is absent, and poor Bentley, who is at least worthy of commendation for his efforts to raise himself up. Richardson has broken out in a new place. He says he has never told a lie I The Recording Angel and Mr “ William Washington” Richard son will have a big bill to settle on the Day of Judgment. And if lying sends a man to perdition surely Richardson’s “warm corner” will be in the nethermost Hell. The Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association is now putting some life into their work. The committee meet regularly once a week, and general meetings are held monthly. The association is receiving a lot of support from many who are not in the trade, but who sympathise with the objects of the association. Mr W. Parsons, for many years traveller in the well-known Christchurch firm, Fletcher, Humphreys and Co , has taken charge of the Cafe de Paris in Cashel-street. Mr Parsons made himself popular during his travels and also in Christchurch, and he will no doubt do his best to uphold the good reputation of the Cafe de Paris. One of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Licensing, is that it should be the duty of the notice to warn licence-holders’ servants if they see a drunken person enter the house. Too often the police are apt to set traps by watching a tipsy or half-drunken fellow enter, and after allowing time for him to be served, have followed with a view of trapping the publican. There can be no doubt that it is the duty of the police to prevent crime. If Sergeant Treanor had adopted the above recommendation, Tommy Buxton would not have been fined. There is not a mint of money to be got out of hotel-keeping as many temperance advocates think. Edward George Gardiner, licensee of the Cave Rock Hotel, Sumner, Christchurch, had to seek refuge in the Bankruptcy Court last week. The meeting of creditors, however, lapsed for want of a quoram, only the debtor, his solicitor, and one creditor being present. The debtor’s statement showed unsecured creditors £164; secured creditors, £328 ; less estimated value of securities, £328 ; total debts, £164. Assets, £43 ; deficiency, £l2l. The principal unsecured creditor was J. Shand and Co., £BS. The secured creditors were S. Manning and Co., secured by bill of sale over the Cave Rock stock furniture in and mortgage of hotel lease, £328.’

In the divided platform controversy at ithe "Wharf on Sunday afternoon, Mr Hulse had. all tile best of the argument, and the prohibitionists scored with vituperation. It is with much regret I have to record the death of Mrs S. A. Allen, of the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, which occurred on Monday, July 10th. The deceased lady came to Christchurch eleven years ago with her husband, Mr Taylor, and assisted him to make a name for the Clarendon. Mr Taylor died shortly after coming to Christchurch, and three years later this widow married Mr R. Allen, who left the Christchurch Sllice force to take charge of the Clarendon. ob Allen, as he was popularly known in town, -died in 1896. and Mrs Allen held the license up to the time of her death. The Clarendon was much patronised by athletic, cycling, football and swimming clubs, and visiting teams generally put up at this well-known hoseltry, and were so well cared for that they will miss “Auntie” should they again stay at the Clarendon. Mrs Allen was noted for her kindliness and genial disposition, and the esteem in which she was held was shown by the large attendance at her funeral on the Wednesday following her death. Wreaths were sent by the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Canterbury Rugby Union, League of N.Z. Wheelmen, N.Z. Amateur Swimming Association, and other athletic clnbs and private friends.