Trade Topics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 788, 13 April 1905, Page 23

Trade Topics

Messrs E. W. Whitehead and Son report the sale of the Waiorongomar Ho el Te Aroha, to Mr J. A. Tullock, late of the West Coast.

Mr H. McVeigh has disposed of his interest in the Swan Hotel. Mechanics Bay, to Mr J. Dunne, la‘e of the Rising Sun Hotel, Newton.

At the S. M Court, Whangarei, on Tuesday, before R. W. Dyer, S M., Mrs Parker, licen ee of the Kamo Hotel, was fined £2 10s and c >sts for having persons other than boarders on her licensed premises after the closing hours prescribed by the Licensing Act. A person was fined £1 15s and costs for being on the same premises after hours for the purpose of obtaining drink.

Father Hays, the Roman Catholic temperance lecturer, about whom so much has been heard, arrived at the Bluff on Tuesday, and was welcomed by the Mayor and citizens’ A large assemblage met him at Invercargill statio -, where he was received by Mr Froggart on behalf of the citizens, and by the Rev. Robei t Ferguson on behalf of the temperance societn s. The Salvation Army Band was also present Replying to an address, Father Hays said his object in visiting the colonies was solely ’o benefit his fellow men, and that in his mission he knew no distinction of race, creed, or colpur. Ho campaign at Invercargill last night.

Dr. A. McArthur, S.M., at Wellington, during the hearing of two cases in which Arthur Jones and Wm. James Gilchrist were changed at the instance of the police with having been found on the Oriental Hotel o i Sunday, April 2, when the premises were required by the Licensing Act, 1881, to be closed, said :—“ If a man is found on licensed premises he has to satisfy the magistrate that he was not there in breach of the provisions of the Act as to closing ” Jones entered a plea of guilty, and Gilchrist, who was represented by Mr Wilford, a plea of not guilty. The police stated that they saw the defendan-, on the hotel premises about a-quarter past one on the Sunday morning. Gilchrist, on oath, stated that he left the hotel about twelve o'clock on Saturday night, having entered it about three-quarters of an hour before to see a bookmaker about a commission Mr Wilford then addressed the Court on the law point, which permitted of a man being on licensed premises after hours if he had a legitimate motive for his action. His Worship said he was not satisfi d with Gilchrist’s explanation, and added: “Twelve o’clock at night about a commission ! It is all fudge, I will not call it perjury, but it goes so near to it that I hardly know the difference” He fined Jones 10s, with 7s costs, in default 48 hours, and Gilchrist 20s, with 7s costs, in default three days imprisonment.

Amongst the many small places in New Zealand that are surely prospering is Marton. On a recent run down South a representative of this journal had the pleasure of visiting this go-ahead little spot, and was surprised to discover the

progress it has made during recent years. Stopping at the White Hart Hotel for lunch he ' was shown over the house by mine host Gibjbonis, who was originally trained as an engineer, and the signs oi this training are apparent all over the place. A complete system of electric light, with gas engine, accumulators and their various houses of accommodation, specially built by the enterprising proprietor ; bells of all descriptions, up-to-date water supply ; in fact, one of the most complete hotels in New Zealand. A new theatre has also been erected, and Marton bids fair to Le heard a great deal of in the near future.

Everyone must admit that the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, Wellington, is a most con eniently and centrail T situated hostelry. Mr Hunt (late of Marton and Waifu.uirau) recently acquired the “Duke,” end his intention is to i eep it right up-to-date in every respect, bine, airy rooms, soft beds, and an excellent cuisine, are some of the features of this hotel. Also, it being a “free house, ’ the best liquors are obtainable at the bars, together with Speight’s Ale on draught. Host Hunt has just added a new bar-room, which is a perfect snuggery. We wish him all success in his new venture.

The ’genial of. Mr W. 'Tobin is still in evidence at the Criterion, Tamiaru. This is a popular house of stay in the town, and its owner a most popular boniface. There are well-ap-pointed billiard rooms at the Criterion, and hot and cold baths are obtainable. The menu is a liberal one. Host Tobin keeps nothing but the best in the shape of liquor, and his tariff is most reasonable

The nearest hotel to the Railway Station at Timaru is the Club, which is now in the hands of Mr E. Ward. Visitoi s to Timaru will find the Club a most convenient and comfortable house to stay at. The cuisine is in competent hands, and the best of liquors are dispensed at the bars. Passengers by early trains can rely on being called to time, and those arriving by Tate ones will be well catered for.

Amongst the many places in this new country of ours that have jumped to the front in a short time, mention must be made of Hawera, in the centre of the New Zealand butter industry. And whilst mentioning the place, there must also be a word for the very fine E'gmont Hotel and its proprietor, Mr A. J. Jury. The combination would be a great credit to many places that claim to be possessed of bigger importance, and travellers would do well to mark this house well up on the list.

The latest thing in labour a'dtatkn is a circular sent ’ round and issued by the Brewery Employes’ Union to the members of the various trade unions in New South Wales, exhorting them to drink beer brewed by union labour only, and mentioning four breweries as those employing union labour. It has also been decided to distribute large posters in reference to the matter, a nd paste same outside hotels selling “union beer.” There is one thing that may be safely guessed, and that is working men and others, no matter how staunch they may be a la unionism, will certainly not injure themselves by drinking bad <r inferior beer when they can obtain genuine stuff for all the unions in Christendom. One firm in Sydney, which is far and away the largest and certainly brews the most popular Ivor, pays better wages to its workmen than anv other brewery in Sydney, and v e t its men have not been coerced into ’owing the union. There is a great sti" in the trade over this arbitrary action on the part of the Brewery Employes’ Union, but it is opined by some that it will fizz out in a few weeks. But there is one important change of affairs it may bring about ; if the four brewers brewing by union labour allow their houses to be placarded to the detriment of the rest of the brewers who do not employ union labour, there is a whisper that the private arrangements now evistin’g regarding the respect shown f r r each other’s houses and the bond will

cease to exist, and there will be a rus for trade, come from where it will, an< the survival of the fittest will be th order of the day.

An. interesting brandy case has come store the Lowestoft magistrates, a iblican having been prosecuted oy the corporation under the Food and Drugs ct. According to the certificate of ie county analyst, the sample, for hich 4s per pint was paid, contained a per cetft. genuine brandy, derived grapes, 484 per cent, of foreign >irit and 3 per cent, added water, and ie sample was 27.6 under proof, the •gal limit being 25 degrees. An adjurnment was applied for in order that I analysis might he made at Somerset Jouse, whose certificate, presented to ie Court, showed that the sample inicated no satisfactory evidence of conlining any other than pot still graye jirit Its alcoholic strength was iven as 30.3 degrees under yroef, and as, therefore, 5.3 degrees under the >o-al strength. Witnesses traced the .story of the brandy from France, and was proved to have been bro en jwn in the usual manner. One witness ;ated there was no fixed standard for randy. The Corporation withdrew the ase, not offering any further evidence, he chairman said that the magistrates ould dismiss the case, and allowed dendant ten. guineas costs and the cost the Analysis.

Evidently, the temperance party is oing to put up a big fight at the comas South Australian elections (says he “Critic”). They are holdin< n eetall over the country, and Sir rederick Holder, who has risen to olitical fame and position without stimulants, is going round to help the movement along. Temperance advocates i all countries and at all times have one their cause a lot of harm: by the itemperance of their demands, and by heir intemperance have raised ouposiion in quarters where more prudent actics would have earned partial suport at least. The frenzied,’ splutterrig, snake-in-the-bottle temperance reormer is a thing to pity and to avoid, (hen a real evil exists it has to be met and fought in a commonsense traightf or ward manner, and no amount f hysterical acclamation is likely to do ny cause good. On the contrary, it is ikely to lay the cause open to ridicule nd make i£s advocates objects of deision. We do not mean to insinuate hat the present efforts of the tempernce party savour of hysteria. But we merely sound a warning note. Temper,nce reformers are apt to ask for too nuch and get nothing. Their constant

pondering on the evils of drink gives them a distorted view of the whole question, abd leads to their making extravagant statements that discount, their more prudent and commonsense utterances.

A Bill has been introduced into the Manx Legislature for regulating the sale of methylated spirits, the measure having been prompted by the necessity of preventing the use of this spirit as a beverage, especially among the lower classes, during Sundays and hours when the public-houses are closed. The Bill provides that only licensed persons may sell methylated spirits at a place mentioned in the licence. Public-house keepers are prohibited from taking out methylated spirit licences, and the sale of methylated spirits by anyone is prohibited between Saturday night and Monday morning.

CAPE LETTER.

(Own Correspondent London “ L.V. Gazette.”) / Capetown, February 8. An important meeting has recently been held at Wellington (in the wine district), the discussion bearing on the bad state of the wine industry in general, and the effect of the excise in particular. The whole |g|ist of the may be given in a summary of the speech of the chairmahi, Mr P. J. Cillie, M.L.A., who stated that a friend of the Government had askejd him whjat effect the excise had had upon the industry. He told him that it was bad; there was no price for wine and brandy, and it was suggested that a deputation should wait upon the Prime Minister j who offered to meet them at Constantia. This did not strike them aS the proper course, and so thej - met that evening to discuss the matter, which was the more important as it had been stated that the discussion was closed, that bXandy had a good market, and the farmers were satisfied. Now, if the farmers

kept quiet, outsiders would consider this was really the case. But the facts were that hotelkeepers would not stock Cape brandy, and wine merchants were averse to buying during the present unsettled state of affairs. They had been promised that if the excise did not fall on the consumer, but on the producer, it would be taken off, but the consumer could not be forced to drink Cape liquor, and would not.if they,made it too de*ar on account of the excise. As the result was thd,t the farmers could not sell, it was time to make themselvi s heard. Mr Dan Retief moved the following resolution : — “This meeting, as representing the wine and , brandy industry, and convened for the purpose of discussing- the critical situation of it, declares hereby that, notwithstanding the recent public utterances of members of the Government, they still consider an excise of 6s a gallon on brandy an unfair and intolerable tax. They are further of opinion that viticulture must necessarily go to rack and ruin, unless the import duty on oversea liquors be considerably increased, the railway tariff for liquor be decreased,

and the liquor trade with the neighbouring colonies be put on a basis in accordance with the promise made by the Government in 1904 to Parliament. For f these reasons, and with a view to the dark prospects regarding the coining vintage, th|ie| meeting politely, but at the same time seriously and urgently, appeals to the Government to make, as soon as possible, efforts to save the wine farmers from a threatened disaster and ruin.”

In proposing this 31 r Retief urged that thd market was overstocked and the price had dropped, largely since the imposition! of the excise, and would have dropped still further but for the advances Govern- j ment had made on their stocks. What ' would be the effect when those stocks had been placed on the market? Then, again, wine had been placed on the market for distilling, purposes at aiprice which only amounted to one penny per bottle. The farmer could not live on that. After some further discussion, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried with applause. That part of it which most affects your readers and advertisers, cannot be laid too much stress on, or be noted too particularly by the home Trade- generally. The Government are being invited, even strongly pressed, to increase the duty on imported liquors. These appeals must have their effect. The Government was never made, or made itself, that could resist such a seductive invitation to increase taxation when the pretext is in itself so plausible, and such taxation is bound; to be urgently backed U P hhe enemies of the wine-farmers. The question of cheap licenses for Cape wines was again brought forward, and the deputation already appointed to wait on the Government to draw attention to the resolution was also deputed to bring before the powers that be this matter also. As already pointed out, this granting . of cheap licenses for light Cape wines is looked upon, by the Trade here with disfavour, as it would only lead to shebeening, 1(0 r there are . no. really light Gape wines made in appreciable quantity,

most efforts in that direction having met with little encouragement. We want a little amusement here in these hard times, and when other entertainments are scarce, the ’J ’’own Council of our Great Metropolis (please do not omit the capital letters, Mr Compositor) provide it for us. They are actually considering the question of having plans drawn up for a building which is to serve as a public swimming-bath and a fruit market. It brings to mind the old schoolboy libel concerning the old apple-woman and her polished rosy stock which occupied the same apartment during the hours devoted to repose. Like a good many of the Council’s projects, it will most probably come to naught, but in the meantime one would really like to know whether the swimming bath is to be projected ini favour of fresh—or freshlooking—jfr mt, or the fruit market with its attendant stickiness and aroma is pro- , jected in favour of the already close ‘ altmospjhore of a pufcflic bath? The Conundrum is left to a joint committee to report upon. 1 Our suburban councils are much troubled with a pest of ants, arising doubtless through the filling up of brickmakers’ excavations with rubbish. They held a public meeting ten days ago arid have done nothing. Meanwhile many are trying a remedy suggested by yours truly,

in an unreported speech. It may be useful to your readers. Powder common washing soda and sprinkle it about the pantry, dnalins and kitchen. It is at least cleanly and- harmless to mankind, while the effect it has on the acid nature of the ant is like the effect of a seidletz powder on a nigger when you give him the two powders separately. The cricket match —Exhibition v. Licensed Victuallers—duly came about on the day when I was penning my last letter. The L.V.’s got beaten by a matter of thirty-two runs, a result was hardly expected, in spite of the fact that one of .the best L.V. players—Pentelow —was playing for the Exhibition side. Pentelow, however, only scored two, but lid effective work as a bowler. iThe defeat of our side was mainly due to H. C. Coggins, who scored 72, more than half the Exhibition score. In a return match, flaying for his own _ side, Mr Pentelow naide a good figure with the bat, but his efforts failed to save the L.V.’s from 1 efeat.

Amongst miscellaneous items unconnected with the Trade, but- exciting much interest here, is the discovery of the great diamond in the Premier Mine. It would appear that an ordihlary sized diamond varies regularly in value according to the square of its weight. A big one, though, appears to be a kind of white elephant, which will only fetch as much as you can get for it. The proposed extraction of gold from sea-water is no new thing, and is not disturbing mine shareholders here.. It was being discussed amongst chemists at home more than twenty years ago.

h COOKERY FOR LICENSED VICTUALLERS. (By " Cuisinier/' in the London “ L.V. Gazette. 0 ) —Affinities in Food. — It is one of the objects of the culinary art to ■ facilitate digestion. This may be ione in many ways, such as by making the viands acquire softness in the cooking, by preparatory mincing, and by a discreet use of condiments intended to stimulate the digestive secretions. But the expedient of which I wish to treat in thia chapter is the mixing of articles in

such a way as to render them more digestible together than singly. The fqt and lean of meat is a familiar instance of this which nature itself has provided. This rule extends beyonds the precincts of the kitchen. The labourer makes a wholesome and hearty meal off bread and cheese, taken together, but if these were taken separately, the bread would be rather light fare and the cheese extremely heavy. Similarly, mushrooms, which would be indigestible by themselves, agree with most people’s stomachs if eaten with bread. Almonds are more wholesome when eaten with raisins than alone: and so on with a number of instances, including many of those old-fashiohled dietetic companionships which are perhaps more numerous and more popular in England than in any other country. Some of these I have mentioned when treating of vegetables. Most of the culinary relationships are founded upon contrasts. He was a true genius who first introduced mint sauce as an adjunct to lamb. No alliance could be happier. In the sauce, the sour, the sweet, and the aromatic are cleverely blended, but the true affinity is only discovered with the first mouthful of tender, succulent roast lamb. Foreigners have sometimes sneerijngly said that we have only one sauce, but if we invented only this one we might still look the whole gastronomic world in the face without a blush. For it is essentially an English and although I have' seen it on foreign menus, disguised as “Sauce a la Menthe,” it is no more like the real home-made article than a French “biftek” is like a steak from Simpson’s grill. Next in order of honour to the inventor of mint saxice, I would place the man who first discovered fihlat the little caoer, when pickled and introduced into a white butter sauce, was the best possible ally of boi’ed mutton. There is undoubtedly a certain tameness, and even an insipidity, about boiled mutton that does not tempt the appetite ; but serve it with a generous allowance of caper sauce, and what a transformation takes place ! The mutton acquires a piquancy and savouriness which it lacked before ; it is now pleasing to the palate and acceptable to the stomach. I should like also to do honour to the man —-be he cook or philo -

sopher, or both —who made, the glorious discovery that horse radish was the fitting accompaniment to roast beef. Billat Savarin truly said that “The discovery of a new dish is far more important to humanity than the discovery of a new star,” and thus the unknown genius who first made known the merits of horse-radish sauce must be regarded as a benefactor to the human race. Some people simply scrape the horse-radish over the m/qat, but this is to|o crude a form in which to serve it. It is worthy of better treatment. To make a horseradish sauce for cold meat, proceed as follows : Wash and brush a horse-radish. Soak it for an hour in cold water, a nd scrape it very finely /with a, sharp knife. Mix two table-spooofuls of it with half a teaspoonfu] of salt and a teaspoonful of dry mustard. Add gradually a quarter pint of cream (or, instead, the yolk of an egg mixed with three table-spoonfuls of olive oil), apd afterwards two tablespoonfuls of yinegiar ■: stir in briskly, but gradually- Mix well, a nd serve in a boat When the sauce is wanted for hot roast beef, or for boiled fowls, etc., it may be made thus : Prepare the horse-radish as before, add a pinch of salt, and pour over it half a pint of good cream. Mix thoroughly, put in a jar, and place it in a saucepan of boiling water. AV hen quite hot. serve in a boat. Then again, how admirably apple sauce blends with roast pork or goose, how salmon seems to yearn for cucumber to complete its culinary excellence, how redcurrant jelly can never be severed from five-year-old mutton or haunch of venison, how T cranberry s a uce developes the flavour of turkey, how broad beans and boiled bacon can never be 'divorced ! And then the lemon ! A whole chapter might be written about the use of the lemon in cookery. As a flavouring it is unequalled,, and a sqlueeze of it over any kind of white fish vastly improves the flavour. Such are some of the more common affinities in food, and many others will occur to the minds of my readers. Irish stew is an instance of blended, flavours which is always popular ; steak pudding, with its beef-steak, kidneys, mnshrooms, and oysters, is another delighful eaxmple; and every well-made soup is al palatable combination of the toothsome qualities of meat and vegetables.

HOME NOTES.

1 (London ”L.\ . Gazette, February 17.) With the opening of Parliament the eyes of the Trade a re once more directed towards St. Stephen’s. Not that the session of 1905 is likely to be productive of any further legislation in connection with the licensing business ; but one never knows what fresh mine the Opposition wi|l spring upon the House of Commons. That there will be numerous questions asked concerning the Trade goes without saying, and it is. .safe that some, if not ajl, of the dozen private Bills that were introduced last session, and were either talked out or never got beyond their first reachbgj w iD be brought forward again during the current session, notably the Bil! to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday ; while a new Bill dealing with the earlier closing, of publichouses on week days is also foreshadowed. We are also likely to hear moreabout the Liquor Traffic Local Veto Bill, which was presented last year by Mr Whittaker, and supported by Sir Wilfrid Lawton and others, but which never got (beyond its first reading. It may be hoped, however, that there will be no falling off in the support accorded to the various Trade Protection Societies throughout the country and the central organisations, which may be depended upon> to do their best in the future, as they have done in the past,to safeguard the interests of the Trade. ■ ; -

Mr William Younger, of the firm of Messrs William McEwan and Co., Ltd., of Edinburgh, in presiding ox er the annual banquet of the Scottish Wine and Spirit Merchants’ Benevolent Institution, hit the right nail oni the head when he said that what the Trade wants now—what it deserves, in fact —is a holiday,, and a long one, too, from legislation, both Imperial and municipal. Mr Balfour was careful to point out last year that one of the main objects of the Licensing Act of 190-1 was to iiliprove the status of the Trade. Clearly, as Mr Y'ounger stated, the best men are not likely to be encouraged to remain in th& Trade if there is never to be peace, and it cannot be in the interests of the com-

munity that they should be driven out to be followed ’by less capable successors.

There is, however, a widespread feeling in Scotland which was voiced by Mr Harry G. Younger, of the firm of Wm. Younger and to., l that before this holiday is entered upon one matter must be adjusted. The same reasons that were urged for compensation in England are equally applicable to Scotland, add, therefore, until the principle of compensation is extended to Scotland; there cannot, Mr Younger contends, be a cessation of licencing agitation so far as that country is concerned. Lord Linlithgow having now succeeded Mr Graham Murray, who has been raised to the peerage, it remains to be seen whether he will be induced to bring in a Scottish Compensar tion Bill during the present session. Parliament has so much pressing business on hand that the opportunity for the introduction of such a measure hs not likely to present itself. * *

The Bill prepared by the Central Boaid to amend the False. Characters Act which was introduced into the House of Commons in March last by Mr . Skewes-Cox, and only got as tar as the first reading, is to be reintroduced during th« present session ; but in view of the great amount of business to be got through lam afraid that it stands a very poor chance of being placed on the Statute Book. What the Central Board desires is a simple procedure before a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, but with power, nevertheless, to commit for tna , by which the giver and receiver of every false character may 'be dealt with either together or separately, and by which both giver and receiver shall commit a « substantial offence if he shall give a character or obtain a situation by metans of a character coming within the prohibition of the Act. * *

Id connection with this subject, the question arises whether licensed victuallers could not take a leaf out of the book of the mercantile marine. Seeing that the Trade is so well organised, would it not be possible to adopt the system of discharges that obtain on board ship ! When a sailor has completed a voyage, and wishes to change into another vessel, he claims his ‘‘discharge/’ which is a printed form on which his conduct during that voyage is clearly set forth. From the time a man goes to sea he is careful to retain these discharge notes, well knowing that they are his only passport for future employment. Thus it is possiblje to trace the career of a seafaring man, and to judge of his conduct from the very start. Why should not the Central Trade organisations have forms printed for the use of licensed victuallers, who should make it a stipulation n ‘ v _ e J to employ a servant unless he could show his discharges from the time he entered the victualling trade.

The barmaid question is once more to the front. Mr Chamberlain has written to say that he will be happy to consider any Bill which may be introduced to deal with the question of the employment of young women in the bars of public-houses, and this has given encoragement ro the meddlesome busybodies to proceed with their agitat on. That an attempt will be made to introduce a Bill into Parliament dealing with this subject during the present session is now certain, and it behoves the trade organisations to be on the alert. Ihe very latest proposal, which emanates from the fertile brain of l ady Frederick Cavendish, is that, no woman under thirty-five years of age shall be employed in the bars of public-houses, and that a year’s notice shall be given to those actually so engaged at the time of the passing of the Bill. The whole of the Borough Councils and licensing authorities in London are to be approached in regard to the matter, but there ought to be no difficulty in nipping this miserable business in the bud. It is too contemptible for serious comment.

The licensing justices in the City of London, like those in most parts of the country, have evidently made up their minds not to grant any’ new licenses. On the contrary-, they’ are determined to see if some regulation in the present number •cannot be brought about. The case of Mr Albert Walter Gam age, the managing director, of A. W. Gamage, Limited, is a distinctly hard one. After expending £23,000 in acquiring the licensed premises of the Black Bull, the Coach and Horses, and an Italian restaurant in Hol'born he had a right to expect that a new license would be granted to him in respect of the basement and sub-basement of the premised now in course of construct on upon the sites of these old premises, especially as it was intended to sell refreshments only to customers to hjs famous outfitting establishment who required them. But the Bench, without hearing the opposition, refused to grant the license, and the result is that Messrs Gamage’s pa-

trons will have to content themselves with tee-total drinks. All the old licenses were renewed at the adjourned sessions held on Wednesday, but Sir Joseph JRenals, the chairman, said that the Bench had received a letter from the London United Temperance Council which was having their utmost serious consideration. What can this mean? Possibly some light will be thrown upon the statement when the Court meets again on the 28th inst.