Trade Topics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 703, 27 August 1903, Page 20

Trade Topics

The vineyards in the wine growing districts of keajolaisi, France, have suffered greatly from the depredations of. night living moths, amongst which the pyralid was the most prominent. The following method of killing these insects has been adopted, and “ The Electric Review,” pronounces it a success : —“ Calcium carbide and water are combined for the generation of acetylene gas, and burners giving a light of ten candle power are mounted above each generator. Six ounces of carbide is said to be enough to keep the flame going for as many hours. Eight inches below the burner is adjusted a shallow circular dish, 20 inches in diameter. A little water is poured into this, and a thick film of kerosene is„deposited on the surface of the other fluid. Thus is completed a trap to which the moths are attracted by the flame. According to the authority just quoted, these generators are set up about s(io yards apart, and are put in action at dusk, preferably on dark nights. On the first night one lamp caught 4600 pyralids and 218 moths of other kinds. During July the lamps average 3200 insects a lamp a night. The expense of the lamps is reported to have been 2 cents a night each, or IT cents a night an acre. It is said that this method of catching noxious insects is more efficacious than any method which has been tried before.” Special cases require special remedies, but that is no reason why moths should be caught indiscriminately, many friends as well as enemies being thus destroyed. It is never safe to use moth traps- unless the “catch” is examined by an entomologist to det-er-mine of what it consists.

The wine supplied to the Pope during his last days is said to come from the famous cellars of the Hotel de Ville at Bremen, which contains some dozen cases of holy wine, which have been. preserved for more than 250 years. (; They are almost priceless. If the cost of maintaining the cellar, payment of rent, interest upon the original value of the wine; an!d other incidental charges are considered, a bottle of this wine has cost £400,000, each glassful £54,000, and a single drop could not have been sold under £4O.

The “Herald” correspondent at Wellington writes :—“ It is understood that many of the prohibitionists of the House gre not, overjoyed at the prospect of licensing legislation being brought down tips session. As a matter, of - electioneer? ing tactics they w’ould have .preferred ; thp Premier to maintain his nog-intervention so that, they.might secure a large moderate support. At present they have fittle hope of the Government bring? ing down a Bill to spit the the prohibition party, and that .the party is not-strong enough in the House to amend the Bill to- Suit their own views. However, should the Bill not meet with their approval the prohibitionists may be suffi- , ciently strong to block it altogether.”

According to the report of the trade of Bordeaux and district for 1902, there appears an improvement in the export of clarets to the United Kingdom, the amount being steadily on the increase since the commencement of the century, and when we note the great increase in the amount of bottled clarets taken in 1902 by the United Kingdom, it gives hope that the taste for higher classed clarets is once more returning, probably the result of the two excellent vintages of 1898 and 1900, which wines recall the excellent bouquet and flavour of the best years of the seventies.

At the Supreme Court on . Friday. Sarah Campbell, a half-caste Maori woman of about middle age, pleaded not guilty to the charge of selling spirituous liquor (whisky), at Taumarunui (King Country), without a license. The Hon. J. A. Tole prosecuted, and Mr J. R. Reed was for the defence. Two witnesses were called, and both stated that they had gone to the place for the purpose of procuring a conviction, having been engaged to that end by the police. They received payment for obtaining convictions. Counsel having addressed the jury, His Honor, in summing up, said the question for the jury to decide was as to whether the testimony of persons so employed was to be regarded as reliable. The jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. Accused was further charged with selling whisky without a license to Wm. Dennis and a Maori named Hinaki at Taumarunui, in the King Country. Mr J. R. Reed appeared for the defence. Prisoner was found not guilty and discharged. His Honor, in commenting on the case, said he could not understand the verdict, seeing that on the same evidence the jury in the case against Alexander Campbell had brought in a verdict of guilty. His Honor passed sentence on Alexander Cgmpbell and Joseph Gardiner, who had been found guilty earlier in the sittings of selling liquor without being licensed for the same in the Kir»g Country. In fining each prisoner £lO, with the alternative of one month’s imprisonment, His Honor said the people who sent liqluor into the King Country deserved to he punished equally with those who sold it. Crates filled with bottles of spirits and beer were sent into that district.

Mr Arthur Chamberlain has at last climbed down over the tenancy question at Birmingham ( says the London “ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette ”). He has been sticking out on behalf of the tenants for six months’ notice to quit. However, as in every instance where application is made for a transfer, he insists upon the attendance of ; the out-going as well as' the in-coming tenant, he has had an opportunity of questioning the retail traders on the subject, and he seems to have been somewhat surprised that vhey are quite willing to accept, and in fact prefer a quarterly to a half-yearly agreement. The whole question was practically brought to an issue by the stand, taken by Messrs Allsopp and Sons. Counsel on their behalf stated that the company were unable to depart from the position they had been taken up, and if the magistrates could not see their way to concede the quarterly agreement, the firm, much as they would regret to take such a course, would have to ask the Bench to state a case for appeal. This placed tha Bench in somewhat of a dilemma. The justices thought the best thing they could do was to retire and consider the question. ’The result was that all the applications jinvolving the three months’ tenancy question were granted. But for the fact that a powerful brewery company were willing to go to any expense to test this question, the whole of these transfers would doubtless have been refused.

An “ indignation ” meeting of the more violent of the temperance party was held at the Foresters’ Hali, Auckland, on Monday, at which some resolutions, insulting alike to the Government and Parliament were passed in reference to the Newtown licenses. There isf no virtue outside these howling dervishes apparently. ♦ * * *

Some amusement was recently excited in the bar of the Devonshire Arms, Mile End, London, by the presence of an unusual customer. An elephant which is performing at an East End music hall, when passing the public-house, was apSarently struck with its clean and orierly appearance, and quietly walked inside. In the bar he opened his mouth as a gentle hint to the company that he would not regard an invitation to drink as an insult. But a question arose as to whether he could be served without a breach of the Licensing Act. As he was understood to be under the age of fourteen years, the opinion prevailed that under the provisions of the Child Messenger Act he could only be served with liquor in a sealed bottle. After some consideration it was thought that the bottle might interfere .with his difestion, so it was decided to request him to leave the premises. Resenting this inhospitable treatment, the elephant in his exit smashed the glass panel of the door and carried awav some of the framework. ♦ “ ' * * *

The Innkeepers’ Liability Bill has not yet passed through the House of Commons, but there are magistrates, it appears, who are eager and ready to anticipate its provisions. The New Mills Bench (.Chester), not satisfied with administering laws, ate quite prepared to make them on their own account. It appears that some of the magistrates are annoyed because the local innkeepers have not supplied bread and butter and a cup of tea when asked for the same ; and, before granting, the temporary transfer of several licences, they have extracted an undertaking from each applicant that he would provide reasonable refreshment in the shape of food whenever asked. This Bench maintains that it has the power, and intends to enforce the condition as to the supply of food in the future. Further, the .magistrates have given the licensed victuallers to understand that their licences will be seriously imperilled if there is any breach of these conditions in future. The chair-

man added that the Bench were quite unanimous on the subject, and “as the licences were granted for one year only strict inquiry would be made at the annual licensing sessions.” One is tempted to ask, if the licensing magistrates profess to have this power al ready, what is the need of taking up the time of the of Commons with the Innkeepers’ Liability Bill.—(L.V.G.).

A familiar figure in Glasgow, and one well known to many members of the Trade elsewhere, has just passed away in the person of Mr John Watson, wine and whisky merchant, of West George Street. Cut off in the prime of life, Mr Watson, who has been foremost in championing Trade interests—having for the long period of fifteen years been president of the Glasgow Licensed Trade Defence Association —had earned the thanks of all for the tactful and conciliatory manner in which he dealt with thorny questions affecting the licensing interests, and his advice was freely sought’in the framing, of the new Scottish Licensing Bill, which is now passing through Parliament. Mr Watson, who was in his fortv-seventh year, joined hUs father in 1875, and three years later, on the latter’s retiral, assumed sole command of the business, the ramifications of which extended far and wide. A great reader, Mr Watson • possessed one of the finest libraries in all Scotland, and as a platform speaker he had few equals amongst members of the Trade in the North, who will deeplv regret his demise.

CommerJting on the decision of the South Australian Government to discontinue the suupprt given in the interests of wine producers to the London depot, the “WirJe_ and Spirit Journal’’ says :—• “With all the energy displayed in its development and the good work indisputably accomplished by the venture, it seems a pity that the- depot should pass out of public hands. It says little for the gratitude of the average Australian grower that n’o mention is made or recognition shown (ac far as one may judge from the reports) of the arduous struggle the manager and his assistants have had to bear. However, we shall see whether private enterprise can create the increased demand that the wine growers think possible in this country. ’’

Mr Lindsay Cooke’s many friends will hear with much satisfaction that he has decided to re-enter the ranks of the Trade. He has purchased the interest of Mr Drake in the Metropolitan Hotel, and he may be expected to maintain the character of that finely and cenfrally situated house. Mr Cooke for many years conducted the Albert Hotel, and has a host of friends in town and country. He takes possession in two or three w’eeks.

Let it not be supposed for one moment (remarks the London Trade organ) since the Lord Chancellor has intimated that the Government propose early in the approaching Session to deal with the question? of justices’ justice, in so far as the renewal of licenses is concerned—not t(0 say the whole question of confiscation and compensation—that the Trade can rest on its laurels. . The official announcement will only serve to goad the enemy on to battle ; in fact, a brisk bombardment will take place to-day. That the opposing forces are well marshalled none can gainsay. The veteran Sir Wilfrid Lawson, although he has passed the allotted span of three score years and ten, is once more in the stirrups, and bold general that he is, he has promised to fead his men to victory I The scene of action to-day is the Royal Albert Hall, and the general’s staff comprises manv officers who have fought well in the past. One need only mention a few. There are the Earl ‘of Carlisle., Lord Monkswell, Sir Robert Reid, M.P., Sir J. H. Haslett. M.P., Mr Cameron Corbett, M.P., Mr T. W. Russell, M.P., Mr Arthur Chamberlain, J.P., and the Lord Mayors of Sheffield and of York. The arena has been selected in order tha’t the forces may be brought up in their thousands. They have been called together “to protest against Parliament proceeding with Mr Butcher’s Bill, or the giving of Government sanction to Sir Hart Dyke’s Bill, to suspend magisterial powers to refuse to renew licences that are deemed excessive.” As neither of these measures will be proceeded with, and as Lord Wemyss has withdrawn his Bill, the tactics will no doubt be altered, and presumably the protest will be against the Government dealing with the subject aimed at in all three, in any shape or form whatever.

The Bishop of London, in deprecating any action that would tamper with the freedom of action of the justices, reminded his hearers that the magistrates had been in possession? of those privileges and responsibilities for 350 years, but he forgot to mention that it is only in recent years that they have misconceived their responsibilities and exaggerated their privilegestto such an extent as to make a curtailment of their legal powers, and a diminution of their discretion, absolutely necessary. It may be that a new Cabinet may be in office next year—that the Lord Chancellor may not be on the woolsack next session, and the condition! of parties may be entirely changed ; but Sir Wilfrid Lawson and his cohorts may be assured that whoever is on the woolsack, next session, and whichever party is in power, 'it will be a party pledged to see that justice is done to the licensed community, and that licensed victuallers are not done by the justices.

Already ‘the teetotal faddists in England, enraged at the prospect of the Government tardily doing - something to stop their programme of spoliation, are planning for a series of “ indignation meetings,” petitions., and other forms of proteat. While they are banding themselves together, the Trade must show a united front, and not stand idle until too late, as heretofore. Our enemies have been for ever on the alert to seize every opportunity of doing us damage. The judgemade law of “ Sharpe v. Wakefield has been unscrupulously used. Then, taking advantage of the fact that avowed enemies of the Trade can sit upon licensing. - benches, and men with the barest indirect interest in it cannot, we have seen the benches packed, openly and undisg’uisedlv, as in the Crystal Falace case. Packed' benches have gone outside the’law in being “ a law unto themselves,” and have sought to institute all sorts of illegal rules and regulations for the hampering of the licensed victualler. And, of course, they are “ hurt to find there is a prospect of their own license being stopped !—(London paper.)