Trade Topics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 694, 25 June 1903, Page 20

Trade Topics

Mr A. Kidd, M.H.R., ex-Mayor, was presented with a handsome address and two valuable paintings for Mrs Kidd, at the Auckland City Council Chambers. r lhe gathering was a most distinguished one. The Mayor (Mr Mitchelson) presided, and amongst those present were Sir John Logan Campbell, Bishop Lenihap, the Rev. Father Patterson, and Rabbi Goldstein, Messrs F. Lawry, M.H.R., W. Coleman, T. Morrin, J. Savage, J. Slator, G. Higgins, and several others. The members of the City Council present were Messrs T. T. Masefield, J. Court, and AGlover. The address was as follows “To His Worship the Mayor, Alfred Kidd, Esq., M.H.R. We, the. undersigned citizens of Auckland, cannot allow you to retire from the office of Mayor without conveying to you our deep sense of the ability you have displayed as a Councillor for many years, and subsequently in the more important position of Chief Magistrate of the city. During the eighteen years of office, twelve of which you served continuously, as chairman of several important committees, you evinced conspicuous devotion to public duty. We must congratulate you on the very efficient

manner in which you supervised th® numerous works which have been brought to a successful issue during your term of office, notably, the Queen-street maprovemsnt, the electric tramways, the fire brigade station, and water supply, thus.mak-. ing Auckland the most up-to-date city m New Zealand. We sincerely hope that you; and Mrs Kidd may be long spared to enjoy the esteem of the inhabitants_ of, Auckland.” Mr Kidd feelingly responded, 1 and speeches were made by Sir John Logan Campbell, Bishop Lenihan and j other b. i

No fewer than one hundred and seventy societies of the retail trade all over England were represented at the annual conference of the Licensed Victuallers’ . National League, at Morecambe, the delegates present numbering some three hunhred. Aiderman Worrall delivered the Presidential address, which dealt largely with the present crisis in the history of the Trade, and passed in reView many important subjects, upon which resolutions were subsequently adopted. It was recognised that now is the time to act, when the Trade has the sympathy of the public and the Ministry are to be urged to give facilities for the passing into law thid

season of Sir William Hart Dyke’s Bill.' The Parliamentary Committee of the League were authorised to take steps to secure some other mode of hearing licensing applications than that now in vogue, and it was resolved to recommend all affiliated associations to make Sunday closing a test question to candidates at all elections, and to resist to the utmost of their power any attempt to curtail the existing hours.

Another subject that cropped up was the direct representation of the retail Trade iq Parliament ; but this resolves itself largely into a question of ways and means, and as the requisite funds are not available, the motion on this subject, which was on the agenda, fell through. Just now the members of both the wholesale and retail trade are putting their hands pretty deeply into their pocketj for the special purpose of checking the crusade of spoliation. The subscriptions am nounced'at the Central Board dinner amounted to the magnificent sum of £10,175 of which £5OOO was contributed by the retail trade. The National Defence League has to depend chiefly upon the capitation fee of 2s, and to-day its ordinary expendi ture is about £2OO ai year more than its income. It is’ true that fifty new associations have been affiliated during the past four years, but the membership to-day is onlv 10,700, against 50,400 four years ago. The central organisations, however,

may be made engines of great power, and the licensed victuallers throughout th® country are to be warmly thanked for the handsome manner, in whirh they, have come forward during the present crisis.

The Salop licensed victuallers have been in conference at Shrewsbury, when several important matters affecting the Trade were discussed. The opinion was pretty freely expressed that Mr Butcher’s Bill as it stands would not bq acceptable to licensed victuallers. It was pointed out by Mr J. A. Byrne that it was a very simple matter to get a cause of complaint against any license holder, no matter how careful he might be, and therefore, it was quite possible that, through no fault of his own a license holder might be placed outside the provisions Qf Mr Butcher’s Bill. With regard to the surrender scheme, which the justices at the last licensing sessions suggested should be formulated by the licensed Victuallers of Shrewsbury, it was resolved that a joint deputation of the Salop Association and the local Brewers’ Association should wait upon the chairman of the Licensing Bench to discuss the matter, and it may be hoped that the result will be, as in Birmingham, the abandonment of the scheme in view of Parliamentary action re compensation.

The Countess of Warwick, who is leasing the Saracen’s Head, Dunmow, to the Essex Public-house Trust Company, Has, on the invitation of the directors, joined the council of the company.

In the case of the Bruce Licensing Committee, who refused to issue any licenses, notice of motion for a mandamus to compel the committee to hear and determine applications, has been given. The case was set down for yesterday, but as there was other business. It is not likely to be reached.

At the Patea Licensing meeting last Friday, application for a license at Strathmore was withdrawn. An application for a license at Whangamomona was granted. Mr Calgher, holder of. a license at WLenuakura, allowed that license to lapse, in order to get one for Whangamomona.

The complete list of hotels closed in Dunedin in accordance with the reduction vote is Otago, Annandale Arms, Waverley, Salutation, Momington, Pelichet Bay, Shades, Globe, Sussex, Pier, Rising Sun, and Imperial

Hotel-keepers are often at a loss to know how to preserve cut flowers for table decorations or otherwise. Here is one means of doing so : —“ Salt in the water, charcoal, or a ew drops Cokdy’s fluid are all good preservatives, but in every case the stalks should be cut every time the water is changed. Another absolutely reliable preservative consists of a few drops of hartshorn ; this will keep flowers fresh for nearly a fortnight.”

The Waikato Licensing Committee met on Saturday morning ini the Courthouse, Hamilton, to consider the licenses of the three hotels in Cambridge and the Te Awamutu Hotel. The licenses were granted, but in each case conditional upon certain improvements specified by the committee being carried out.

At the adjourned meeting of the Manukau Licensing Committee, on Tuesday,, a license was granted for the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, the plans of the new building having approved. The new house, which is to cost over £3OOO, is expected to be finished abiout the end of next month.

A renewal of the accommodation license at Miranda has been granted by the Manukau Committee, the fee being fixed at £lO.

The Wellington! Licensing Committee on Tuesday renewed the licenses for the Clyde, Quay, and Foresters’ Arms Hotels, which are to be re-built. The question of renewing the licenses for the Imperial, Masonic, Western, and Prince of Wales Hotels was adjourned for three months.

The Semi-Teetotal Pledge Association have very kindly forwarded to the “ L.V. Gazette ” a specimen copy of the certificate which they are issuing to those who undertake to abstain from all intoxicating drink except at mid-day and evening meals. The ideia of this organisation is to put a stop to the habit of “ nipping ” and “ standing drinks!.” Lord Roberts and his committee might just as well go down to Brighton and order the waves to cease rolling. No doubt a good deal more intoxicating drink is taken by many people between meals than is good for them, but the custom of “ treating ” is deep rooted.