The Licensed Victuallers' Gazette

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 865, 4 October 1906, Page 20

The Licensed Victuallers' Gazette

Crodsr Z^°p ies

Mr J. Christmann took over the hotel at Mangawai last week from Mr James Brunton. In the local Police Court last Friday a young man was fined £3 costs for taking a walking stick from the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket Visitors to Waiw era will be pleased, to learn that the authorities intend erecting shortly, a waiting-room at the shore end of the wharf. The Hon. R. Reeves has a Bill before Parliament with a view to allowing liquor to be sold at Bellamy’s while the House is sitting, and for an hour afterwards, but not on Sundays. At present no liquor is sold after ten p.m , nor on Sundays. The Joint House Committee reported to Parliament that at a meeting of the committee it was resolved that Mr Reeves’ Bill had their support. In regard to the question of stamping duplicate receipts, which Mr Brabant, S.M., at Napier, recently decided, was required by law, it is stated that if the receipts are merely: marked copy or copies, no stamp is required. A copy of a receipt being of no legal value, while a duplicate receipt ranks in legality with the original. ■ * Odd mistakes have sometimes been made in minting British coins. There is a half-penny of George I. which has the King’s head on both sides. x * * M From Nelson it was reported last Saturday that the Foxhill Hotel, formerly Mr Gaukrodger’s and latterly Mr Hyde’s hostelry, and a well-known honeymoon resort, was burnt down. The hotel consisted of twenty rooms. All the inmates escaped, but a dog was burnt to death. Nothing was saved. The building was insured for in the South British. Mr Hyde is a great loser, his losses including his Crimean medals. Mr Hyde was insured in the Northern Office for Is °' » * • In Waihi one night last week, a stable and shed at the rear of the Paeroa Brewery Company’s bottling shed caught fire, fortunately it was extinguished before much damage was done. * * * * In Christchurch last week a reporter interviewed prominent local caterers with a view to ascertaining how the absence of facilities for supplying liquor affected their attitude in the matter of tendering for the Exhibition restaurant. One said his reason for not tendering was that he had enough business of his own. Another thought the cost of providing meals was greater than the probable receipts, and he had not tendered because tenders were not called early enough to allow caterers to work out plans and get plant from England. A third maintained that the rental asked for both restaurant and tea rooms was too great. * » ♦ • Refreshments provided for the Commonwealth Schools’ demonstration in the Sydnev Cricket Ground recently included 500 dozen cakes, cart loads of sandwiches, and five tons of liquid refreshments in the way of lemon and raspberry syrup, etc. Tn the Police Court last week a defendant who had the appearance of having had one too many was asked bv the magistrate. Mr Kettle, if he had been drinking. The reply was no. Mr Kettle again asked: “Do you saw you have not been drinking?” The defendant replied, “T have tea for dinner, and sometimes I like a I’ttle cocoa, too.” The defendant was then put in the box, whereupon he inform*-’ His Worship “that he was a man every time.’* This settled him, Mr ordering the case to stand over for an hour or so,

In the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court last Friday, John Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of keeping liquor for sale in a no-license district, and Mr Wray, S.M., fined him payment to be made within fourteen days, with the alternative of one month’s imprisonment. * * * * The Blenheim licensed victuallers have decided to state a case in the Supreme Court in reference to the Wairau Licensing Committee’s resolution ordering the rebuilding of some hotels. Mr Harry Dickeson of the Kaikohe Hotel returned from Sydney last week after having spent a very enjoyable holiday. His many friends will be pleased to learn that he is once more in first-class health. The time during which the British Parliament is actually sitting costs the nation about a minute. The grant of to Mrs Seddon was passed without discussion. * * * * A thunderbolt struck a distillery at Castellon de la Plana, Spain, and caused a fire which did damage to the extent of £31,250- « * * * No tender having been received for the right to run a restaurant within the Exhibtion Buildings it is now proposed to abandon the project and let those, people who wish to obtain meals within the buildings depend on the tea-rooms for sustenance. The Executive Commissioner adds that evidently the restaurant had no value without the right to sell alcoholic refreshment at meals. A Chinaman has just been killed in a house at Bangkok, as the result of a duel with another Chinaman The method they adopted in fighting is of some interest. They fought with the two forefingers of each hand, stabbing each other with these in the region of the spleen and at the same level on the other side, of the body. The men who go in for this kind of contest practice every morning, stabbing bags of rice or paddy with these fingers till they can use them like a piece of iron.—“ Times,” Bangkok. The following visitors have been staying at the Waiwera Hot Springs Hotel during the week :—Mr and Mrs E. Russell and family, Mrs Dr. Roberton, nurse and family, Mr and Mrs Wilkie, Auckland; Mr and Mrs Wigg, Auckland; Mr and Mrs Mclndoe and family, Te Aroha; Mesdames Streater, Crombie, Misses Campbell and Ewing, Rev. McWilliams, Messrs Moore, Hamer, Bachelder, W. Brown, W. R Mowbray. * ♦ * * Two hotelkeepers in the Wellington district were last week each fined and costs £3 10s, for selling draft whisky in bottles, the labels of which had not been destroyed. Drunk and Disorderly Person: “Whash this place?” Officer of Police: “This is the station.” 4 D and D. : “Orri’l What timesh train start?” Officer: “Last one’s gone; but there’ll be a ’bus for you in the morning.”

The EXHIBITION RESTAURANT.

Last Friday, the Hon. T Kennedy Macdonald asked in the Legislative Council whether the Government was cognisant of the statement that the Exhibition authorities did not intend to make provision for a restaurant at the Exhibition, and whether, in view of the serious effect this was likely to have on the attendance, and the loss of revenue, the Government intended to make proper provision by effective catering for all visitors. The Hon. A. Pitt replied that if it was correct that the Exhibition authorities did no*- intend to establish a restaurant, he might say, on behalf of the Government, that it recognised the serious effect this

would have on '.he attendance, or, at all events, how inconvenient it would be to those employed about the building who might wish to get their meals :here. The hon. gentleman could rest assured that if no arrangements were made by the Exhibition authorities, the Government would take the matter in hand. This reply was received with general approval

HOTEL LICENSE REFUSED.

Last Friday the Waikouaiti Licensing Committee met in compliance with an order made by the Supreme Court to hear and determine an application for a license for the Wainakarua Hotel, previously declined. Major Keddel, S.M., presided. Counsel for the applicant said as it had been found on measurement that the hotel was 12 chains short of being five miles distant from an hotel in Hampden, he would wi hdraw the application for an accommodation license and apply for a publican’s license. Evidence having been given as to distance, and as to the state of repair of the house, the committee retired. The chairman afterwards announced the finding as follows : —That inasmuch as it has been proved that the d'stance between the two hotels is less than five miles, and that consequently the accommodation license granted in 1906 to the Wainakarua Hotel is invalid, and in as much as it has been proved that the premises are out of repair, the committee decline to grant the application. The chairman added that he disagreed on the matter of being out of repair, but perhaps he had greater knowledge than most of the committees in respect of country hotels He was one with the committee in regard to the other point.

A PLAUSIBLE ROGUE.

One dav. last week the Auckland “Star” related that an imposter played upon the credulity of an Onehunga publican The local inspector of nuisances had been complaining to the boniface of a slight breach of the sanitary by-laws. A morning or two later a person of apparent importance, with a plausible air, walked into the hotel and introduced himself as the chief-inspector of the Auckland Health Department. He asked to be allowed to investigate the subject of complaint by the local inspector of nuisances, and after the licensee had acquiesced and pointed ou - : the state of affairs from his side of the argument, the sham representative of the Health Department was loud in his condemnation of the supposed subordinate in bringing him out on such a trifling matter. The strange “official” made himself especially affable, promised to smooth the matter over, - and stopped at the ho'el for dinner. Bewildered on finding he had left his money behind, he borrowed £1 and left. The deluded publican has since recognised a photo of the plausible rogue, who transpires to be known to the police as a professional, and was recently sentenced in Auckland to a term of imprisonment on a charge of false pretences.

DOWN HIS NECK.

A story is going the rounds just now of the experience of a well-known commercial traveller, who had an enjoyable dav sight-seeing at Rotorua, in company with an English tourist. Towards the end of the daV the boy of the bull dog breed suggested a small bottle of “fiz,” and while the hebe went to execute the order, remarked to his companion: ‘Oh, bai the bai, do you live in the colony? I forgot to ask you what you were.” “I,” replied the man of the road, “am a commercial traveller.” “Oh,” said the visitor, “I did not know you were in trade,” and he forthwith instructed the lady in waiting to produce only one glass. “But I am drinking with you,” said the commercial traveller. “Oh, dear no,” replied.his newb.-’onnd friend, “I could not think of it.” The colonial persisted and demanded a glass, which he accordingly filled; then takinq- the fledgling by the collar, he emptied the contents down the outside of his neck with the remark: “I do not know w’ho or

what you are, nor do 1 care ; but I am a New Zealander, and this is the way we deal with such men as you.” There was a discomfited youth, an amused circle of onlookers, and a smiling traveller who swears that in future he will exercise more care in the choice of new acquaintances.

TEACHING TEMPERANCE.

It has not taken the prohibitionist very long to get to work on the new Minister of Education, from whom they no doubt look for active support in the furthering of their particular views. In Wellington last week, a deputation representing the executive of the New Zealand Alliance interviewed the Minister for Education at his office, and urged that the children in the State schools should be taught the nature and evils of alcohol. They were, they said, only asking that New Zealand should fall into line with the United States, Canada, Belgium, and other parts of the worlds Mr Fowlds said he was in hearty, sympathy wi,h the objects of the deputation, but there were considerable difficulties in giving effect to their desire. Control of the education system was largely in the hands of the local boards, who would require to be influenced. Moreover, there was a cry that the syllabus was already overloaded, and also agitation against the great cost of school books to parents. However, inquiries had been made as to a text book which would give definite teaching on temperance without making the cost heavy or trenching upon the controversial side of the subject, so it might be possible to meet the desires of the deputation. The syllabus would probably come up for some slight alteration next year, and temperance teaching might be given a more definite position under the health lessons.

GREY AND MENZIES, LTD.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the shareholders in Messrs Grey and Menzies, Ltd., held last week, a scheme was brought forward whereby Mr Grey’s offer to sell his shares might be accepted. This provided for the directors being authorised to enter into an agreement with Mr Grey for the purchase of his 16,375 shares for the sum of conditionally upon the company being able to obtain the sanction of the Court to such a course, and Mr Grey agreeing not to engage directly or indirectly in aerated water business for 10 years. Pay r ment for the shares to be 10s in cash, and the balance to remain for three years at 6 per cent., secured by debenture mortgage over the assets of the company. The remaining shares of the company to be written down from 20s to 15s, of which ios shall be deemed to be paid, thus creating a liability of 5s per share to be called up at once to provide the cash payment to Mr Grey. Mr Grey said the scheme was entirely different from his proposal, and he would not sanction it He wanted his money straightaway. His proposal was that the shareholders should give him 10s a share for his shares, or that he should take over the shareholders’ interest at the same rate He must have in a week and another in a fortnight. Mr O. Nichelson suggested that the agreement should be signed and interest charged until the whole amount was paid, and that Mr Grey should give them two months to do this. This was eventually agreed to by Mr Grey. A discussion followed the reading of the annual report and balance-sheet. Mr W. Blomfield asked how the property’ valuation of /?i6,0q5 was made up, and if property originally valued at a foot when the two concerns were amalgamated was found at the revaluation to be worth only /?i4 a foot. Mr Grey said that he would not allow discussion of this matter. Mr Blomfield said the item was in the balance-sheet.. He wish-, ed to know how the valuation was arrived at. The chairman said that he had offered the business of Grey and Son to Menzies, Ltd., at a block figure, and. gave no valuation at all for land or anything else and his offer was accepted.

A LICENSING CASE.

The./adjourned hearing of the: case in which George Taylor, licensee of the Fitzroy Hotel, was charged with sellmg whis.ky to'John Joseph Poland, a person in a 1 ’’ state of intoxication, and also 1 With- permitting drunkenness : to take place. Oh- his licensed premises,; .was continued before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court last week. ‘ . Mr S. Mays prosecuted, and Mr : F". Earl defended. - - . The defendant, George Taylor,, license of the Fitzroy Hotel, said that the. pres; ent license was-his first, and he had held it for i2 months. On the evening of August 9 he was in the bar. J * He had then seen Poland in his hotel for. the first time'.,?. He also .saw. a man named .T)alziel’/jand/Poland ?and he. (Dalziel) were in the bar .parlour. : To the best of his recollection they came in. between seven and eight They- went straight into the bar parlour, and sat down, Poland sitting in a rocking chair. At the time witness was serving in the bar, and he heard Poland, Dalziel, and another man, Katterns,, talking about football, etc? At eight p.m.' Sergeant Hanson and Constable Quirke -visited the hotel. •- Up- t<s that time, witness had refused Poland liqiidr, Dalziel -asking for drinks for himself and Katterns. He served the drinks on the bar slide, and they came up'to get therri." Poland said to Dalziel, “Where’s my drink?” Dalziel then asked for a drink for Poland, but witness refused ; he was suspicious of Poland because he seemed a bit “sleepified.” When Poland was refused liquor he asked for a bed, and witness said he would i give him one When Poland asked for ;a bed he also asked to be called early, ras he “had to go up-country.” Witness /.told /him his room would be No 9. ; About five minutes after that Sergeant i Hanson and Constable Quirk came in. -Up to their arrival Poland had not got -off his chair. Sergeant Hanson accused Poland of being drunk, and then said to .witness, “This man is drunk.” Witness said, “He is not drunk.” The sergeant

said nothing about supplying Poland •with drink. Sergeant Hanson asked Dalziel where he had been living, and he said he had been living at his mother’s place. After the sergeant and constable had left the premises Poland asked to be shown to his room, and he followed witness down some steps to the room. When shown the room Poland said, “I’ll be all right now,” and witness left him sitting on the bed, with a lighted candle in the room. Witness then returned to the bar. While in the hotel Poland had been no “nuisance or annoyance,” and had conducted himself properly. About 20 minutes after Poland had gone to bed Sergeant Hendry came in, asked for Poland, and witness conducted him to the room. The sergeant then asked for Poland to be kept there till his brother came. After some time his brother, in company with Sergeant Hanson, came to the hotel, and shortly afterwards the two Polands left. John Poland walked all right “him and his brother together.” He could not say whether they were arm-in-arm. That was the last he saw of them, and the next he heard of it was nearly a month afterwards. To Mr Mays: He went into the bar that night between six and half-past six, and it was not daylight when Poland came in He would swear that Poland walked down the steps on his way to his room. He would not call him “beastly drunk.” When he saw Poland again he could not say if his condition had altered or not To Mr Earl: He had spent 16 years soldiering in Singapore, China, and Africa. Poland’s respectability weighed with him (witness) considerably. Mr Earl said this would close his case. He could call Katterns, but his evidence would be the same as Taylor’s. The further hearing of the case was adjourned.

NO-LICENSE CRAZE IN SYDNEY.

Sydney is being forced to listen to a lot of vulgar and selfish argument on the part of narrow-minded extremists upon the no-license question. The temperance and prohibition associations are as thick as hornets. The long and loud-tongued cranks are going a bit too far in the halls of Sydney. The matter of no-license is no longer a question, but a movement, a crusade, a campaign, or a sort of war against the licensed victualler, the brewer, the wholesale and retail wine and spirit trade; just as if it had no vested interests, no right to live, or have the citizen’s right to engage in just and legitimate trade. Temperance is a good thing in itself, and worthy of practical cultivation ; but the no-license and prohibition raging war going on must cause those in favour of temperance to pause and Teel ashamed of themse’ves. The respectable hotelkeeper does not open his house to tipsters, drunkards, nor beer

devotees It would not pay /him. There may be some persons who keep disorderly bars, but -no decent .hotelkeeper desires such a trade. ... ‘' Everyj party has its,- extremists—its clowns and pantaloons— and the cranks of no-license have a deal of Mr Zany about them The church bigot is bad enough, but save us and the reading public from the prohibition 7 bigot. Our trades should be more united and strong. Parliaments are just what the people make.,them, and the great public commonsense of Australians should defeat, with contempt, any candidate who seeks to legislate in; .his.; ignorant and denationalising way upon the rights and liberties of a patriotic and God-fearing people. We desire .to point out to the electors of the State or States not to be led a&vay by. The claptrap of lively -prohibinor engage in one-sided, nolicense demonstrations that can only 'tend to. divert their own personal opinions, at election times. We also, regret to * see .the majority of daily Press writers indifferent in dealing with the no-license and prohibition questions from a general public point of view,, Their leading articles can be read both ways.. The daily Press should lead, and not play the part of seesaw writers. ' Reporters' seldom make good editors.;, Sr The, church is not. exactly “walking ; With the world” when some of its ministers descend to the low platform of nolicense spouters. Disrespect to the Ghurehes- or any religion is not in our veins,- but when we hear certain divines speaking, as they do, 'in un-British and non-Christian language against a large body of respectable persons, we are apt to think, with many others, that such conduct brings the clergy and the cloth into disrespect. Far better would it be for the reverend gentlemen to visit regularly the homes of their people, get them to go to church and Sunday-school, and thus lay the foundation-stones of true temperance without the use of tyrannical speech. Prohibition has been a failure in America and New Zealand, and will be so in the Commonwealth. We have toed the mark in facing the no-license craze. It is for the trades to be on the alert to defend their own interests, to organise like their foemen, and to confidently place their rights and demands before the tribunal of the public.—“ Australian Brewers’ Journal.”

THE TRADES MARK ACT.

In Wellington last week, Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., gave reserved judgment in the actions taken against Thomas William Clapham and Edward Fitzgerald, Ngahauranga hotel-keepers, charging them under the Licensing Act and the Patents Designs and Trades Mark Act with refilling for sale certain whisky bottles, without first destroying the labels

thereon; and' with applying false trade descriptions to bottles of whisky In each case the defence was set up that,, though bottles sold to two constables admittedly contained draught whisky of a different brand to that described on the labels, this fact was stated at the time of the sale. Mr Mays, for the prosecution, said he .would only ask for a conviction under the Patents Designs and Trades Mark Act withdrawing the informations laid under the Licensing Act. His Worship said that it was not necessary that a sale should take place to constitute an P.hence Each act of selling, or exposing for sale, or having in possession any goods to which a false trade description •was applied was a separate offence. Defendants were each fined and costs (£3 IOS )- Mr Blair appeared for defendants.

WHAT IS WHISKY?

The now world-famous query, and the recent magisterial decision thereon, is not without its funny side, and we quote the following clever anecdotes, from an oversea contemporary, as being too good to lose :—• Mr. Jollyboy, Toper “Whash ish whisky? Waish until I—hie —catsh this bloomin’—hie—lam’post, Land I’ll tell you whash whisky ish. Whoa, post, whoa ! Whisky ish ! Whisky ish! Why, ish—it ish whisky!” Miss Sipper, Matron. “Dear me, what is whisky ? You surprise me. Not that I don’t know what the nasty stuff is. Oh, no! I have to take it, being ordered to do so by the doctor, merely for shortness of breath, nothing more. I hate it; but shortness of breath ” The Pot and Patent Stills. “What is whisky? We can only give it up.” The Great Unslaked Public. “What is whisky? Usually sixpence a nobbier; never less, worse luck.” The Monkeys. The Pot Still Monkey: “What is whisky ? A most excellent spirit, on which you can get as beastly tight as a gentleman.” The Patent Still Monkey: “What is whisky? Alas! my poor head.” Mr. A. Hudkins, Temperance Faddist. “Ah, my dear- friend, whisky is a snare and a delusion. It is the perverter of age and youth. Strong drink is as a raging lion, which seeketh whom it may devour Have you ever asked yourself, What causes crime ? —Whisky What creates drunkenness ?—Whisky. What devastates the happy home ?—Whisky. What keeps up the State? —Whisky. What makes the weather so bad ? — Whisky. What makes the Income Tax , rise ?—Whisky ? Alas!” An Alcoholic Expert. . “What is whisky? Goodness only knows.” Patrick Rafferty, Navvy. “What is whisky? Sure, it’s not that koind uv stuff that is handed to us in . 'many uv the public-houses uv this town. Sure, now, if yez want to know what whisky is, come over to Oireland, an’ me father will give yez the foinest taste uv the cratur, made in a still uv his own, too.” Sandy Tamson, Hauder=on. “What is whisky? Hoo the deevil div I ken! It’s dagant little I get o’t. No that I want much whusky whin there’s a schooner o’ beer gaen aboot. Gie me plenty o’ beer, an’ I dinna gie a curse if I never got ony whusky.” Jack Stayout, Blade. “What is whisky, dear boy? Tut, tutt! Ask me another ? Whisky ? Whisky? Where were you brought up? On a desert island, methinks. Why, whisky is the wine of life, and don’t you forget it.”

“WHAT IS A LONG BEER?”

Judicial ignorance of commonplace facts, as exhibited in the law courts, is sometimes very amusing. In an action for slander, in the Third Civil Court early in the month, at Melbourne, in which the parties concerned are two rival publicans, Judge Neighbour, to the amazement of the court, suddenly inquired—“ Can you tell me what a long oeer is?”_ Both counsel denied any knowledge on the subject, and looked significantly at their instructing solicitors, but these gentlemen shook their heads negatively. Suddenly two glasses : —one “longer” than the other—were placed , upon the solicitors’ table The landlady of one of the hotels, however,

who was in the witness box, declared that neither of these glasses represented a “long beer” such as was served at her establishment They were both tod short. An ingenious counsel placed one glass upon the top of another; but that did not please the witness—-it was ’“io'o long • Finally she satisfied the curiosity of the court on the matter'by saying, l^ ‘A long beer is about a pint, and we charge threepence for it.” The evidence then proceeded as usual. Why this mystery’ about such a valued Australian institution as a “long beer,” known to judge, counsel, solicitors, and everybody down, to the juvenile court newspaper “runner!” ; —“Australian Brewers’ Journal.” 3 :

BARMAIDS.

The crusade for the abolition of barmaids is about to be removed from the region of sentimentality and carried to a more practical stage. A petition, we understand, has been signed by about 30,000 people in Victoria to make their employment illegal, so that in the conduct of the public-house of the future, the sex, with the exception of the licensee’s wife. Or daughters, will bear no part. The actuating motive of the petition. 4s, of course, the alleged demoralisation; of women through serving in public-houses. •We cannot for the life of us see the force of this contention, and we strongly resent this ostracism of the tavern, as though it were morally a 1 azar-house. We do not say that every public-house is an ideal environment for a young girl,; but the world is far from being‘ constituted on perfect lines, and there are many other places infinitely worse. •In the great majority of licensed houses a woman can live an honest and decent life, and it very often happens that she exercises a refining and restraining influence on the customers. Possibly more care might be taken in the selection, of girls for the service, and in this connection we are tempted to quote some very pertinent remarks from a pamphlet on this subject which has just been published by the English Licensed Victuallers’ Central Protection Society. The writer says that what the ordinary, moderate, sensible retailer most desires in his barmaid is a woman endowed with common sense; virtuous, without being a prude or a shrew; polite to customers; selfrespecting; of easy, confident manners; without any fussy consciousness; making everybody feel at home, and creating respect from everybody.” Such a woman adds, immeasurably to the desirable, attractions of a public-house, and we hope it will be long before the Puritanic meddlers force her to seek another means of livelihood in a labour market already .hopelessly overcrowded.—“ The Australian Brewers’ Journal.”

BEER AT A BUTCHER’S SHOP.

Summoned at Stratford, London, in July, George Godbold, butcher, 54 St Andrew’s-road, Walthamstow, denied that he had sold beer without a license Two preventive officers described visits to defendant’s premises on two successive Sundays. One of them asked: “If I buy a piece of meat, will you give me a glass of beer?” One of the salesmen replied, “Yes.” The officer paid is 4d for meat, and was given a glass of beer. They saw other customers similarly served. Defendant contended that the beer was supplied for his assistants,, and was merely given by them free to customers who asked for it. A penalty of £5, and costs, in respect of the first offence, was imposed.—“ Licensing World.” . . ,

WHAT’S IN A NAME.

The London L.V. Gazette says that the lucky shareholders of Guinness and Bass would answer this question by the simple word “everything,” and so it would , seem, for while most other brewery companies are sadly complaining of a falling off in the demand for beer, and heavy taxation burdens entailing a serious diminution of profits, these two world-renowned brewery concerns are more prosperous than ever. Lord Iveagh told the shareholders of Arthur Guinness, Son, and Co., at the meeting on Wednesday, that the trade during the year had increased in all branches —notably in their foreign export stout —and this, together with the lower price of hops, had tended to make their profits the highest since the formation of the company, whilst they had also established another record in their sales. Lord Iveagh, however, is quite prepared to admit that the brewing trade as a whole is far from being in a satisfactory state. The fact that the quantity of beer retained for consuftiption in Great Britain alone shows an aggregate reduction during’ the last five years of some 3,000,000 barrels, proves that a change is gradually taking place tn the habits of the people, and the directors are showing commendable prudence

in taking steps to • meet • any shrinkage in trade which may ensue from the. wave of temperance which is passing over the country. So far, how ever, Guinness has not been affected in the; least; in fact the profits have been such as to admit- of the payment of a bonus of 2 per cent, in addition to the ordinary dividend of 20 per cent per annum

WHERE TO SPEND THE HAPPIEST HOLIDAY.

The following dialogue, which is translated from an important German paper, seems to indicate that the burden of the summer holiday weighs as heavily on the Continental mind as on that of a section of the British public: “Well, and have you spent a pleasant holiday?” “Yes, thanks Don’t I look as if I had?” “Indeed you do. I have never seen you look more fit. Not everybody profits by the holiday tour as you have done ” “No. But then I was particularly fortunate in my choice. I like the place so much that I mean to spend myt next holidays there again.” “Good cooking?” “Excellent. You could get anything you wished for. ” “Pleasant company?’* “Delightful people. And, best of all, no formalities. We could do exactly as we liked.” “Quiet?” “I never was in a more quiet place.” “Beds all right?” “FiVst rate. Private bathroom, too.” “But very expensive, no doubt.” “On the contrary, it was the cheapest holiday I ever had.” “But, man, tell me the name of the place!” “I stayed at home.”

HARD TO PLEASE.

The “Morning Advertiser” correspondent at Paris is responsible for this :— “An amusing little comedy was enacted last Monday! night at a restaurant not far from the Palais Royal. “Two friends, who had apparently not ' met for some time, entered and took seats at the far end of the room After examining the menu they decided to order chicken. When this arrived it was found to consist of a wing and a leg, the latter giving evidence of athletic tendencies on the part of the fowl. “Each of the diners pushed the dish over to the other with great politeness so as to serve himself, evidently with an eye to getting the wing Eventually one of the friends served himself and appropriated the prize. The other took what was left, and his subsequent silence was due not so much to the task of negotiating the tough limb as to chagrin at having to eat it. “The other noticed this and asked what was the matter, but no reply was given. “I know,” volunteered the first, ‘you’re annoyed because I got the wing.’ ‘Yes, I am,’ responded the silent one, ‘and so would you be if you had to put up with this.’ ‘Well, you would have done the same had you helped yourself first,’ was the answer. ‘No, I would not,’ affirmed the aggrieved one; ‘I would have taken the leg.’ ‘Well, you’ve got it,’ said No. 1, ‘so what have you to complain of?’ And the waiter hurried to the lift to answer a summons that had not been given.”