FREE LUNCHES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 669, 31 December 1902, Page 21

FREE LUNCHES.

The free lunch question is Being raised in Wellington under somewhat peculiar circumstances. It seems that the many sixpenny restaurants which flourish at the seat of government have decided that they would flourish more markedly if they chatged ninepence for a meal in place of the lower sum. Their proprietor's are brought face to face with two difficulties. One is that they are not all in accord, and that those who have raised prices find their clients leaving them to go to establishments where sixpence still commands a dinner of three courses. But. the main difficulty is said .to be the free lunch tables at fourpenny bats. At these, it seems, visitors get the run of dishes of cold food, together with a glass of beer to wash it down, at fourpence per head. The proprietors of sixpenny restaurants say that this custom is. very prejudicial 10 them, and they are said to be very angry.' It is suggested, indeed, than in this phase of the great free lunch problem we have a sidelight on the increase in the no-license vote. The, occasion seems to call for a genius who, to tJhe combination of beer for fourpence and cold food for nothing, can oppose a dinner for sixpence with beer, thrown in. —(Napier “ Telegraph.”) Tourists and others visiting Wanganui will find comfortable quarters at the Metropolitan Hotel. The neW proprietor, Mr Alfred Mitchell (late of Dannevirke) and his charming helpmate do all in their power to make their guests’ sojourn with them a pleasant one. The Metropolitan is most conveniently situated,. being close to the railway station and river. The rooms are large and airy, and the cuisine excellent. Hot and cold baths with shower are provided at either end of the house, and means of egress in the event of fire, together, with a plentitude of fire escapes and the employment of a night porter make the hotel one of the safest in New Zea- , land. A pleasing feature amongst others of. the Metropolitan is a promenade balcony on the roof) affording an excellent view of the surrounding country and river. The Empire Hotel, Palmerstpn North, has lately been considerably added to and otherwise improved. A wing comprising six new bedrooms* is now complete, Host Devine finding himself unable to cope with the increased demand fbr accommodation. The Empire’s popularity is no doubt due to the excellence of its internal arrangements, and to the geniality of its energetic and capable proprietor. Mr Devine keeps an excellent table and the best of liquors, and the tariff is a moderate one. Visitors to Palmerston need have no hesitation in giving him a trial. We may add that the house is well provided with means of escape in the event of fire.