Trade Topics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 839, 5 April 1906, Page 23

Trade Topics

Alterations to the Masonic Hotel, Devonport, are in contemplation.

The Christchurch hotel-keepers state that it is not their intention to charge heavy rates at Exhibition time.

It is reported thtat Mr. Alex. Philips purchased the Alpha Hotel, at Kihikihi, when it was put up to auction last week, the price paid being *

Now that the licensing and general elections are over, the various registrars of electors are actively engaged in purging the rolls. Registered circulars are being posted to all electors who did not record their votes at the general election. In the case of these circulars not being replied to, the names will go before the Revision Court, and will probably be removed by direction of the Stipendiary Magistrate.

A correspondent writing to the “N.Z. Herald” over the initials W.B. (Te Kuiti), completely refutes the allegations made bv Mr. J. D. Melville, that Maori women were lying about drunk at the Ngaruawahia regatta. He also asks, “Who is this Mr. J. D. Melville at all?”

The information against Walter Flatt, charged with having been concerned in the breaking of the windows at the Zealandia Restaurant last New Year’s Eve, has been dismissed.

Early last Saturday morning a most disastrous fire took place in Sydney. The Grand Central Hotel had an extremely narrow escape, the saving of the building from destruction by fire being described as little short of marvellous, the four top floors being on fire at one time. The torrents of water required to put out the fire did immense damage to the contents.

A Boulder (West Australia) publican, as the result of a dispute with the local brewery, lowered the price of beer from 6d to qd the pint, and immediately commenced to do a roaring trade. He had to increase his staff of barmen, and a cash desk expert was kept hard at work taking money. Towards morning the night’s taking were removed under escort to the police station for safety. The beer was brought from a town 300 miles distant.

Having taken the opinion of leading counsel, the Marlborough Licensed Victuallers’ Association has decided to contest the result of the Wairau licensing election at which a reform ticket pledged tc 10 o’clock closing was returned. The chief ground of the petition is in regard to the payment of deposits by candidates, 'fhe Association accepts the verdict of the people as to 10 o’clock closing, but object to the personnel of the committee, and especially to its refusal of conditional licenses.

Of the many fine hotels in Christchurch the Royal, Oxford Terrace, ranks second to none. Beautifully situated in its own grounds and facing the River Avon, it is free from the noise and dust which afflicts some of its compeers. The Royal is a handsome edifice, built of Oamaru stone, and it has an exit on Tuam-street as well as the main entrance from Oxford Terrace. . Numerous sittings-rooms, and large and lofty bedrooms, together with hot, cold and shower baths, tend to the comfort of patrons. The cuisine is in the hands of a competent chef, and the wines, spirits, ales, etc., please the connoisseur. In connecction with the hotel is a billiard-room, and excellent stabling adjoins. Host Tattersail, who has recently entered into possession, knows his business, and has had the house renovated throughout. Visitors to Christchurch may rely on being well looked after at the Royal.

A barmaid named Rose Arnold was murdered by her sweetheart in Sydney last week.

It is rumoured that Mr. Joe Molloy, of the Albion Hotel, Hobson-street, will shortly take over the hotel at Waiuku.

In Victoria agitation is being raised in the direction of introducing local option legislation on the lines followed in New Zealand.

In February 952 more persons arrived ia New Zealand than the number that departed from our shores.

Mr. Bailey, of the local detective force, has purchased Mr. F. Little’s interest in the Globe Hotel, Wakefield-street.

Among recent additions to te ranks of the hotelkeeping fraternity it is said Mr. T. Tobias has been added, his venture being the hotel at Warkworth.

Mr. H. Jones, who is well known in the Trade as the Wai Wai Company’s traveller is now joining the ranks of hotelkeepers, and shortly takes over the Rob Roy Hotel, in Freeman’s Bay. * * * *

Mr. Bert Hay, who has recently been travelling for Air. E. B. Dufaur, has joined the Wai Wai Company in the place of Mr. H. Jones.

Richard Stent, a brewer, of Wellington, committed suicide last Friday by cutting his throat.

The many friends of Mrs. McKay, of the Junction Hotel, Thames, will be pleased to learn that she is making a good recovery from her recent severe illness.

The National Hotel, Cambridge, had a narrow escape from a serious outbreak of fire one evening last week. A kerosene lamp fa’ling in a room at the back of the bar ignited the oil, the flames being extinguished with great difficulty. * * * *

Germany’s imposition of a duty, at the rate of per 1000, on British-made cigarettes is likely to throw idle thousands of British working makers, and to destroy what has been a large trade, with Germany. « * * *

Mr. P. A. Zohrab, of Panama-street, We’l’ngton, reports the sale of the following' hotels Mr. F. J. Preston’s interest in the lease and furniture of the Clarendon Hotel, Wellington, to Mrs Mary Nathan, formerly of the Britannia Hotel ; lhe lease and furniture of Mr. E. Sullivan’s Commercial Hotel, Pahiatua, to Air. David Cormack, late of Roxbuigh, Otago ; the lease and furniture of the Metropolitan Hotel, Wellington, to Mrs. lane Ormsbee, late of the Clyde Quay Hotel.

The following is the list of visitors at the Hot Springs, Waiwera, hist week : Dr. and Airs. Hardie Neil, Mis. Aickin, Messrs. B. and J. O. Owen, Heron, C. E. Horton, A. Seccombe, A. Chatfield, C. Richardson, E. Smith, Auckland ; Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Pike, Misses Pike (2) and Goddard, England ; Mr. W. W. Smith, Wellington; Mr. Mills, Christchurch; Miss Wratten, Hamilton ; Lieutenants Arnaud and Green, H.M.S. Prometheus; Mr. K.. Campbell, Warkworth ; Mr. and Mrs Waller, London ; Mr. W. R. Mowbray, Parnell; Mr. Orr, Sydney; Rev. J. and Mrs Latter, Ponsonby; Mrs. and Miss Williams, Tahiti; Mr. and Mrs. Spence, Suva.

The Oueen’s Hotel, Timaru, is now under the proprietorship of Air. S. G. Bryan, late of Christchurch. The Queen’s is situated at the corner of Barnard and Northstreets, opposite the Law Courts, and is within some five minutes’ walk of the ra'lwav station. There is good accommodation'for families and travellers, and hot, cold and shower baths are to be obtained -t the Oueen’s. Host Bryan supplies the best ; n the wav of ales, wines and spirits, and letters and telegrams addressed to him will receive prompt attention. We wish Host Bryan a busy and prosperous re’gn a$ the Oueen’s.

Within a few minutes of the Cathedral City is to be found the Star and Garter Hotel, kept by Host Roper. The River Avon, flowing placidly by, imparts a tone of the picturesque and a sense of rest to this hostelry, and the noise of the city is lefi behind. Situated at the corner of Oxford Terrace and Barbadoes-street, the excellent liquid refreshment dispensed by the Star and Garter assuages the thirst of the residents of both quarters. The townsman, more especialy if he is addicted to boating, here makes a halt, with the knowledge that a glass of the “best,” as kept bv mine host, will impart fresh life into his weary frame. There is good accommodation to be had at this hotel, and both hot and cold water is laid on in the bathroom. The domestic and culinary arrangements are well looked after by the hostess, and everything is supplied and done that tends to the comfort of patrons.

Hotel accommodation in Christchurch will shortly be at a premium, and visitors to the Cathedral City will have to look round for suitable quarters. There are some fine hotels in the quieter parts of the city, which will well repay inspection. Among the latter we may mention the Foresters, Oxford Terrace. This hotel offers excellent accommodation, and is at the same time only some five minutes' walk from the Post and Telegraph Offices. Hot, cold and shower baths are in evidence, likewise a large b lliard room, and the liquors are the best procurable. Airs. Neely, the proprietress, is a most obliging hostess, and her tariff a moderate one.

Christchurch visitors and others in want of reliable horses and comfortable up-to-date vehicles will do well to ring up 01 call at the Royal Stables, Oxford Terrace. Messrs. Ranger and Co., the proprietors, employ only careful and experienced drivers, and these are in attendance day or night. They make a feature of catering for tourist, commercial and shooting parties, and their rubber-tyred cat 1 iages are very pleasant find easy of motion. They are also open to break in, sell or exchange horses. Telegrams or letters addressed to the firm are' sure of receiving their prompt attention. * * * * Air. A. C. Barnes, of the Caledonian Hotel, Napier, is very popular in rowing and football circles in Hawke’s Bay. He is prime Canterbury, or in other words was born in that flourishing province. L'p till five years ago Air. Barnes was engaged in general .storekeeping in South Canterbury, and since then has been licensee of the Caledonian. Since taking over this house he has made many improvements, and it is easy to see that the proprietor is an enthusiast in all branches of athletics, for pictures of rowing men, footballers, etc., adorn the walls of the vestibule. Air. Barnes, is president of the Napier C : tv Football Club, a member of the Management Committee of lhe Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, and was sole '■.elector of the Hawke’s Bay representative football team for 1905. He is also captain of the Union Rowing Club, secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Rowing Association, and is secretary of the Hawke s Bay Regatta. Tn between he finds time to act as the Hawke’s Bay representative of the New Zealand League of Wheelmen, and fills in a few spare moments with a little cycling. Athletes and visitors in general will find a comfortable house of call at the Caledonian. # * * * Sumner is most in favour rmongst the seaside resort of Christchurch. The Cave Rock Hotel at Sumner is named aftei and faces the peculiar rock of that name. Its situation is most picturesque, and from its balconies a beautiful view can be obtained of the pier, beach and sea. Mr. H. L. Thompson, the pr pretor, has spared no pains to popularise his house, and has renovated and refurnished it from top to bottom. The excellent XXX beer brewed bv the Crown Brewery is on tap in the bars, and the other liquors are true to name and of equal excellence. The cuisine is under the nersonal sunerv'smn of the charming hostess. Good stabling adjoins the hotel, and trams drop passengers at the door. can rely on being well looked after at Cave Rock.

Caroline Bay, Timaru, is gaining steadily in public favour as a seaside resort, and visitors to Timaru can obtain excellent accommodation at the Alelville Hotel facing it. Air. E. Tasker (late of Winchester, where he was very popular) has just taken over the Alelville from Air. Reilly. The hotel has been renovated and refurnished throughout, and the liquor supplied at the Alelville is the best procurable. There is good stabling adjoining for those who bring horses. We predict an excess of popularity for Host Tasker at the Melville.

The Excelsior Hotel (late Criterion), at Timaru, which was recently purchased by Mr. Porter, has been completly rebuilt as regards the interior, and refurnished throughout in latest and must approved stvle. The Excelsior is now a first-class up-to-date home for the travelling public. Its situation is very central and convenient to both railway station and Post and Telegraph Offices. Spec : al attention has been paid to pure air ventilation, and vents are placed under every room on the ground floor. The Excelsior should certainly stand unrivalled for healthiness. Every room is fireproof. There are hot, cold and shower baths, and the cuisine is in the hands of a competent chef. Nothing but the best of wines and spirits are stocked, and Speight’s and Timaru ales are on tap. The proprietor is resolved to make the Excelsior a house of home comforts at a reasonable tariff. CLUB CHARTERS. At the last meeting of the New Zealand Alliance, reference was made to the fact that a charter had been granted to the Wellington Civil Service Club, this being the fourth new club charter granted by the Government in the North Island since the local option poll. The following resolution was carried: —“ 1 hat ths Executive strongly protests against the action of the Government in granting additional club charters for the sale of liquor in violation of the spirit of the law, which prohibits any increase of licenses, and also in breach of the promises which they have previously- given on the subject ; and respectfully urges upon all temperance bodies the necessity of using every effort to put a stop to the wholesale increase of facilities for the sale of intoxicants with which the colony is threatened by this unexpected abuse of power of the Government.” NO DEPOSIT. At the time of our recent licensing election it became known that some of the candidates had discovered that the paying of a deposit was not requisite. This appears to have been fact, and a similar course having been followed in Blenheim district appears likely to lead to some trouble.. Wiring from there last Friday, the Press Association state that with reference to the petition against the result of the Wairau licensing election, it is explained that the reform candidates, in not paying deposits, acted on the strength of a communication received by the local returning officer from Mr. Mansfield, chief registrar of electors, saying that section 9'l of the Electoral Act of 1905 did not apply to a licensing poll. It is believed that several other committees throughout the colony' were elected on the same basis. The successful reform candidates deny the statement made by the Licensed Victuallers’ Association that they' refuse to grant conditional licenses to A. and P. shows, race meetings, and such gatherings. Their attitude is that, before doing anything at all, the chairman must first call them together,, so that their policy can be defined in a collective capacity, and this the chairman so far has not done. PROHIBITION ORDERS. Last week the “New Zealand Herald” stated that Mr. Justice Edwards has expressed the view that the chief characteristic of the prohibition order is that it does not prohibit; however, the Pol’ce Court officials here issued no less than 55°° papers for the week ending March i7tb> and 2040 last week, and cooies of each order are issued and served on 45 city and .19 suburban hotels by the police. The

labour is enormous, especially for the police; but judging by the number of prohibited persons who are arrested for frequenting licensed premises, the effect of the orders is very slight. The hotelkeepers and their servants find the work of identifying prohibited persons becoming increasingly difficult. Following this a further reference to prohibition orders was made by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court. A young man, with previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, and while drunk resisting the arresting constable. The police asked that a prohibition order should be issued against him, as they believed it would be to the man’s interest.

Mr. Kettle said that notwithstanding what had appeared in the “New Zealand Herald” about Mr. Justice Edwards saying that the chief characteristic of the prohibition order was that it did not prohibit, he (Mr. Kettle) was still quite satisfied and the inspector of police (Mr. Cullen) some time ago had agreed with him, that there were numerous cases in which prohibition orders had done good, though there were also a number of cases of prohibited persons who obtained drink. In his opinion, although prohibition orders did not absolutely prohibit people, thev had a deterrent influence, and in that respect they were good. As far as the hotelkeepers were concerned, they could only be convicted for serving prohibited persons if it was shown that they (hotelkeepers) knew the persons served were prohibited, or if they did not take the trouble to find out what persons were prohibited. The old law was no doubt unfair, but that was amended two years ago. Under the old lay if a prohibited person was served the hotelkeepers must be fined. The new law provided that the hotelkeeper must satisfy the Court that he did not know the person served was prohibited. In his (Mr. Kettle’s) opinion, and he was firmer in that opinion since he had come to Auckland, prohibition orders had a very good effect, and were well worth the issuing. He would continue to issue prohibition orders, notwithstanding the statement made by Mr. Justice Edwards. Mr. Kettle then issued the order. The remarks of Mr. Kettle’s have attracted attention in the South, and the “Lyttelton Times,” in an editorial, says: “Mr. Kettle’s testimony to the value of prohibition orders comes at a very opportune time. There has been a disposition of late among those in authority to speak of these , orders as of little use, and the

result has been to produce a good deal of indifference on the part of the police, and of carelessness on the part of the publicans. Two or three cases that have been heard in our local Courts have suggested that the law has not always been taken quite seriously and that prohibited persons have not been made to realise the full force of their disabilities. Mr. Justice Edwards was probably not very far from the truth when he said that the chief characteristic of the prohibition order was its failure to prohibit, but he was criticisin' r the administration of the law, not the law itself. There is plenty of evidence to support Mr. Kettle’s conclusions. If pro hibition orders do not stop a man getting drink altogether, they make it more difficult for him to get it, and they help him in keeping away from temptation. One of our correspondents suggested some time ago that the same end might be served by licensing the customer instead of the publican, and requiring him to produce his permit whenever he asked for a drink, but we are afraid that this system would no l meet with the general approval that

is necessary to the success of any restrictive legislation. What is really wanted is the enforcement of the existing law.” CLAIM FOR COMMISSION. In the Wellington S.M. Court recently John G. W. Dalrymple sued the Public Trustee, as executor and trustee of the late John Tucker and Mary Tucker, widow of the deceased, for the sum of 15s, in respect of commission alleged to have been agreed upon for the sale by plaintiff of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Masterton. For a second cause of action a quantum meruit was relied upon, and for a third it was claimed that defendants, or one of them, wrongfully determined plaintiff’s employment to sell the hotel on commission, and thereafter took advantages of his work and services in connection with the sale. In respect of this alternat:ve cause of action plaintiff claimed £5O. Plamtiff claimed to have brought about rhe sale, and defendants that it was ef-

fected after the period allowed to plaintiff in which to sell the hotel.

Mr. Skerrett appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Treadwell for defendants.

The ca«e for plaintiff was that in September last Mrs. Tucker wrote to him, instructing him to sell the property for 10,000. Her letter stated that the first agent to sell would receive the commission. The matter was placed in the hands 01 John Brodie and Co. by the Public Trustee until October 9th, after which it was claimed it was left open for other agents to come in. The price was reduced to /?9500 in consideration of a clause in the lease, providing for payment of to the lessor in the event of no-license being carried. Plaintiff negotiated with Mr. McCarthy at the reduced price, and was told he did not intend to buy. But on October 16th an offer of made by Mr. McCarthy for the hotel, was accepted. Plaintiff said that he had procured the purchaser, and denied that any time limit was imposed upon him. The further hearing of the case was adjourned.