The Licensed Victuallers' Gazette

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 899, 30 May 1907, Page 20

The Licensed Victuallers' Gazette

Mrs S. G. Bryan is still running the Queen’s Hotel, Timaru. This is a most comfortable and convenient place at which to stay when in Timaru.

There are few more popular men in the trade than Mr E. Tasker, of the Me- - Hotel, Timaru. Since assuming the proprietorship, Mr Tasker has conducted the hotel on the very best lines, and has the respect of all who have come into contact with him.

One of the Otago Acclimatisation Society’s inspectors was beguiled by a ocal fishmonger on Saturday last, says the Dunedin “Star.” Seeing a number of black swans hang'ng outside a fish shop, he entered and spoke words of warning to the shopkeeper. He must beware lest he break the law by selling such game as the black swan. The proprietor, unabashed, offered to sell the inspector one of the birds “just to make a test case of it.” After a deal of bargaining the finest swan in> the row changed hands at half a crown. In about an hour’s time the inspector returned with the black beauty, and demanded his money back, but his request was refused. He had discovered that the fine plump “swan” was stuffed with straw!

Mr Henry Laycock, who has been many years in the hotel at Hikuai, Tairua, has disposed of the hotel and his estate of a 1000 acres, to Messrs Faithful, McConnel', Bailey, and Dykes. Mr and Mrs Laycock intend going on a tour round the world. Their many friends in the trade heart'ly wish them a pleasant journey.

Od Farmer: “No, I don’t want any more of your labour-saving machines. I’ve tried enough on ’em. Look in there. There’s a typewritin’ machine the missus spent all her egg and butter money on to buy for me, ’cause I ain’t so over handy with the pen. Just look at the swindle.” Fr end: “What’s the matter with it?”

Old Farmer: “Matter! Why, you can’t even write yer name with the bloomin’ thing unless ye know how to play the pianner. ”

In the Thames Police Court last Monday, an important point ' was raised by Mr Clendon when defending two men named Samuel Quadri and Kauraria, charged with having committed a breach of the peace in a public place. Mr Clendon admitted that an altercation took place, but said it was confined to the passage of an hotel, and was not in the bar. He contended, and quoted authorities in support of his contention, that the passage was not a public place. The Bench upheld this contention and dismissed the informations. It is understood that an appeal against this decision will be lodged.

Every ma e in Russia over 15 years of age smokes about 150 cigarettes a week, according to a Consular report on Poland and Lithuania. One pound of tobacco suffices for 1000 cigarettes.

The German used to be reckoned the greatest smoker on earth. He is no longer. The Belgian smokes 6.2i1b of tobacco yearly; the inhabitants of the United States 5.41 b; while the German’s share is only 3.44 b. The Briton is really a most moderate smoker; 1.951 b lasts him a year.

There is probably no better hotel on the West Coast than the Grand, at Westport. The hotel possesses every modern convenience, the cuisine is excellent, while the management of the hote 1 ' is all that can be desired. During a recent visit to the district the writer was pleased to again meet the genial landlord, Mr D. Leech. Mr Leech takes a great interest in public matters, is a loyal supporter of every kind of sport, and is an enthusiastic bowler. The local bowling club not having a superabundance of funds ’n hand decided to turn to and lay out the green themselves. Mr Leech was amongst the foremost of these, and with coat off did his share of the work.

The Wallingford Hole, Temuka, is still under the proprietorship of Mr J. Reilly. This is a most comfortable place at which to put up, with all conveniences and a moderate tariff, and is probably as well patronised by the travelling public as any in the town.

There are occasions when hotel properties are to be picked up cheap, and those who are on the look out for such in the South Is and would do well to consult Mr D. Mahoney, the well-known hotel broker, of Timaru, who has at the present time several good properties placed 'n his hands for sale.

Visitors to Dunedin should try the Gladstone Hotel, in Maclaggan-street. This is centrally situated, having all modern conveniences, good table, and a moderate tariff. The proprietor, Mr John Co lins, makes a most capable host, and is deservedly popular w,'th all classes.

Reefton is a pleasant enough place to live ?n during the greater part of the year. It. has not so wet a climate as some of the other West Coast towns, though in the winter months the fogs are occasiona ly troublesome. There are several first-class hotels there, and amongst those with a moderate tariff is the Gladstone, which is now a well and favourably known house. Mr R. Dunphy / : is still the 'andlord, and those visiting Reefton would do well to put up at this place.

Amongst the hotels in Hokitika, one of the most convenient and most comfortable places to put up at is the Commercial, in Revell-street. This is under the proprietorship of Mr T. Palmer, who understands exactly how to run a good house, and who looks well after the comfort of patrons. Hot and cold baths, good table, all modern conveniences, and a moderate tariff ensure a liberal share of patronage by the travelling public.

In Wellington last week, for breaches of the Cooks and Waiters’ Union award fines were imposed on the following:— R. Hunt, Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, seven charges, Mrs O’Shea, Coronation Board'nghouse, four charges, £8; J. Jones, Union Dining-rooms, four charges, £6; G. H. Gooda 1, two charges, £4 5 E. Wilson, Albert Hotel, £2 ; S. Gilmer, Royal Oak Hotel, £1 ; E. J. Sear , Cuba street, £1 ; Mrs Muncaster, Freeman’s Tea Rooms, £1 ; S. J. Flewellyn, Club Hotel, £2; P. Hartshorne, Occidental Hotel, three charges, £5. David Palmer, Zealandia Private Hotel, charged with employing a non-unionist, sa'd he was not aware at the time that the girl did not belong to the union. As soon as he discovered the fact he got the gir to join the union. A fine of £1 and costs was imposed. J. Patterson (Arcadia), similarly charged, stated that he gave the man the money (6s) to join the union the day he employed him. The man came back back and sa'd he had joined. It appeared, however, that he did not join until ten days later. His Honor said in this case the Court would simply record a breach, but would not impose a penalty.

In the Magistrate’s Court in We lington last week, Arthur Edwin Haywood, I‘censee of the Wellington Hotel, admitted selling whisky to a native woman who was not the wife of a European. SubInspector O* Donovan did not press for a heavy penalty, describing the offence as merely an indiscretion. Mr Gray was for defendant, who was fined 40s and costs (9s). A exander Smith, licensee of the Cricketers’ Arms Hotel, was charged with sell ng beer to John Kiely, the latter being then intoxicated. There was a further charge of permitting drunkenness on the premises. The defence was that the licensee warned the two barmen that Kiely was coming in, and told them to get rid of him. Kiely was refused a drnk, but remained on the premises, keeping quiet. Later another man ca’led for two drinks and was served. He gave one to Kiely unobserved by the barman, who was busy. His Worship reserved decision.

The over-planting of the vineyards in the south of France and adulteration in other centres, has caused much local distress. Some rioting has occurred in the vine districts. The Town Hall at Biz:ers was burned down by an angry mob, because the Mayor obstructed a demonstration.

In the ocal Police Court last Thursday, before Messrs W. H. Cooper, G. Denby, and D. McDonald, J.P.’s, Hugh Mullins, a middle-aged man, who said he was a fireman, pleaded guilty to assaulting Roach Temple, James O’Brien, and Joseph Kenny, a police constab e. SubInspector Gordon said that the accused went to the Criterion Hotel and called for a sixpenny drink, when he had not enough to pay for : t. The barmaid refused to give it, and he thereupon caught up a glass of beer and threw it over her, besides slapping her face. He went down the street, but was brought back by a constable. While talking in the hote Mullins rushed at the licensee and struck h ! m. Constable Kenny then took him outside, and he dealt the officer a blow in the mouth, knocking one of his teeth out. The Bench sentenced Mullins to 48 hours’ imprisonment on the first charge and one month on each of the other two, the terms to be cumulative.

A Mr Bowers, a commercial traveller, met with a queer accident a short time ago says the “Timaru Hera'd.” Driving ( ate at n'ght), a buggy and pair, he got on a small railway bridge instead of a road bridge near it. There was a row of planks between the rails, and one horse walked on these for some distance, the oth.er managing to step along the sleepers. The vehic e had got well on the bridge, when the latter horse fell through the sleepers and pulled the other off the planks, and it fel’ through too. Mr Bowers did not at the moment understand what was wrong, got out of the buggy, and fell through the bridge also. One horse was so badly damaged that it had to be shot. Mr Bowers and the other horse were but little hurt.

Vignerons rioted at B; ziers, in the South of France, owing to the Mayor’s obstructing a demonstration arising out of the'r distress, and burned down the Town Hal'.

The annual meeting of the Manukau Licensing Committee, origfnally advertised for June 1, has been postponed until June 13.

At the declaration of the poll for the Eketahuna Mayoralty, Mr Thos. Parsons, a defeated candidate, who on'y secured 29 votes, said he would like to thank those who did not vote for him. He had left local politics alone for a number of years, and the result of the e'ection showed that the people considered the best place for him was at home. He would take the hint.

The death occurred recently at Greymouth of Mr Thomas Gilmer, licensee of Gilmer’s Hote’ in that town, and formerly of the Victoria Hotel, Petone. Heart failure was the cause of death.

The cost of supplying tobacco to inmates at the Benevolent Institution at Dunedfn is said to amount to just a little under a week.

Spur'ous half-sovereigns are in circulation in Dannevirke.

Last Saturday afternoon a fire broke out in the bar-parlour of the Fitzroy Hotel, Wakefield-street, but with the prompt assistance of the fire brigade the flames were extinguished before serious damage resulted. The origin of the outbreak is unknown, and the damage will be covered by about j£io.

In the Port Adela : de Police Court recently, the landlord of the Port Hotel was charged with having failed to keep a door to the bar closed during prohibited hours. The defendant pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay 15s.

Last week at the Petone Court, before Dr. McArthur, S.M., and Messrs Inglis and Mothes, Richard Apps, for whom Mr Herdman appeared, was fined £3 and costs, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, for using obscene language in the bar of the Central Hotel. Dr. McArthur commented on the evidence called for the defence.

The Frenchman at dinner will eat more butter than the/ Englishman, but less meat, and he will eat plentifully of vegetables, which will be well cooked and served hot instead of plain boiled and soused into the cooling gravy of the meatdish, as the Engl shman nine times out of ten eats them.

At the big banquet given to the Colonial Premiers in London in April there were used 40,000 knives, forks, and

* * * * spoons, 8000 glasses, 16,000 plates, and 2500 entree dishes ; 400 waiters served up the dinner.

The smallest coin in circulation is the Maltese grain, a bronze piece the size of an ordinary lead pencil top, and worth one-sixth of a cent.

For some reason, difficult o discover, it has hitherto been impossib e to take the sausage seriously. It has been, among all comestibles, the butt of the hopeful humourist. With teute-canine suggestions he has made people laugh, and this class of person has on'y occasionally ceased snriling when reading of an extra grave case of ptomaine poisoning. Now, however, the “Lancet” is looking solemn. “There is absolutely no legal or authoritative definition of a sausage,” hence the frauds frequent y practised on consumers. The journal in question admits that the ingredients in sausages nowadays are generally wholesome, but objects to the article which -contains 90 per cent of bread or broken biscuit and 10 per cent of meat receiving the same designation as that which boasts fair and proper proportions of each. The 90 per cent bread sausage is a bad fraud on the publ'c, it says, the price of this kind of food per pound being approximately that of the meat from which it is supposed to be made. Therefore, says the “Lancet,” the sausage should be standardised, and receive its due legal status.

An arrest was made at the Thames last Friday in connection with a recent robbery of jewellery and money from the Gladstone boarding house, Waihc

It was reported from Wellington last week that Mr W. H. Field, M.H.R. for Otaki, speaking at a dinner given by Mr A. C. Pearce, Mayor of Karori, said it had been stated that the brewers and publicans would use their influence to bripg about a dissolution, with the object of getting another three years’ lease of life, but he did not think that the party mentioned would be strong enough to do that.

Four million :pounds worth of bank notes' leave the Bank of England daily. ***** London’s annual dish of meat is over 400,000 tons, and the fish course weighs over 200,000 tons. * * * * Business was again reported good in the booths at Takapuna Racecourse on the second day, and that stocks had run fairly low bv the time the races had come to a conclusion. * * * * It is stated that the Utah Legislature has enacted a law making the game of bridge illegal. The penalty is fixed at five years’ imprisonment. In the Wellington Police Court last Monday, Alexander Smith, licensee of the Cricketer’s Arms Hotel, was fined £,To on each of two charges of having sold liquor to an intoxicated person, and of permitting drunkenness on his premises. The magistrate also ordered the license to be endorsed. Podd : I have finally come to the conc usion tha. blondes are far more dangerous for men than brunettes are. Purdy ; Are they more a luring ? Pod : Well, I can’t say as to that; but a blonde hair on a man’s coat stands out like a lighthouse. * * * * It was reported from Wellington last week that wh.le detectives were searching premises in Cuba-street recently occupied by Henry Peacock, engraver (who figured among the men arrested for frequenting an alleged “two-up” school in Willisstreet on Monday, and who is now in custody on a more serious criminal charge,) evidence was found suggesting the manufacture of spurious coins. Several half-sovereigns and half-crowns in various stages of manufacture, plaster casts, and a crucible and gas fittings supposed to have been used in the business, were discovered. The “gold” coins would appear to have been coloured after manufacture, as “silver” and “gold” pieces are composed of the same metal—a spurious alloy—and the finished co ns bear a very fair appearance to the uninitiated of being real. * * * * Teetotal enthusiasts, who had hastily assumed that the medical profession had definitely c assed alcoholic liquor as mere poison, will be sorely troubled by the manifesto in its favour published in the “Lancet” by Professor T. McCall Anderson, Sir James Crichton-Browne, and other dish nuished doctors. Of course no one is a who e-hogger in the cause of alcohol —in theory, at any rate, as distinct from praet : ce; but this manifesto is very clear in favour of its moderate use. In disease it ts pronounced “a rapid and trustworthy restorative”; and, as an article of diet, the “universal belief of mankind” that moderate mdulgence in alcoho is “usually benefic’al” for adul's is held to be “amply just fied.” That we take to be the common experience of the unprejudiced non-medical observer of his own constitution and human nature as seen in others. The difficulty, of course, is in deciding what is meant by “moderate.” In practise it is often assumed that, because a man is never obviously the “worse” for liquor in a social sense, he is therefore necessari y a moderate drinker. Medical opinion would certainly not endorse that.

IGNORANCE NO EXCUSE.

The New Zealand “Times” reports that last week in the Wellington Supreme Court, a judgment of some interest to sellers of intoxicants was del : vered by Mr Justice Cooper. It was in a case in which Mrs Weiss, who had been convicted by Dr. McArthur, S.M., for the sale of over-proof wine, appea'ed against that conviction. The appel'ant had a license to sell wines made from New Zealand fru'ts of a strength not exceeding 20 per cent, of proof spirit. She sold wine containing appreciably more than 20 per cent, proof spirit, and therefore sold ’iquor which she was not authorised by her license to sell. His Honor pointed out that the f'mitat'on as to the strength was introduced first for the protection of local revenue, the fee for the license being only as aga nst £?2o for the sae of any other intoxicating liquor, and, second, to prevent the sale of high intoxicants in unlicensed houses. There were two quest ons for consideration in the case. First: Was it necessary for the prosecution to prove knowledge on the part of the defendant of Tie fact that the wine sold was overproof? Second: If it was not, was the defendant excu’pated by her affirmative proof that she had no such knowledge. The answer to each question must be “No.” and the conviction must be upheld, and the appeal dismissed, with costs 7s.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETINGS, JUNE, 1907. Kaipara, Saturday, Ist June, to be adjourned to 28th June, Court House, Dargaville. Manukau, Saturday, Ist June, to be adjourned to 15th June, Court House, Onehunga. Marsden, Saturday, Ist June, Court House, Whangarei. . City of Auckland, Tuesday, 4th June, S.M. Court, High Street. ■Franklin, Tuesday, 4th June, Court House, Mercer. Parnell, Wednesday, sth June, Borough Council Chambers, Parnell. Waikato, Wednesday, sth June, Court House, Hamilton. Ohinemuri, Wednesday, sth June, Court House, Paeroa. Bay of Plenty, Wednesday, sth June, Court House, Tauranga. Eden, Thursday, 6-h June, Epsom Hall, Epsom. Waitemata, Friday, 7th June, Borough Council Chambers, Devonport. Thames, Friday, 7th June, Court House, Thames.

Bay of Islands, Friday, 7th June, Court House, Kawakawa.

A PECULIAR CASE.

The correspondence which has passed between the secretary of the Chesham and District Association, the Licensed Victuallers’ National Defence League, and the Chef Constable of Bucks, and which has been published under the title of “A Pecul ar Case,” serves to show the absolute necessity of licencees obtaining independent medical testimony when any charge is brought against them for “perm tting drunkenness.” A man entered the White Lion at Chesham, and was served wth a pint of beer by the landlord. Ten minutes afterwards a police officer entered, and this man was identified as one who had been begg ng. He was bustled out of the house and taken to the station. About an hour afterwards the officer returned and said the man was drunk. This the landlord denied, and, calling upon a doctor, requested him to accompany him to the lock-up. The inspector, having explained to the landlord that the county was not going to pay for the doctor, permitted an examination, and it was proved to demonstration that the man was sober. Charged then with begging, he was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment.— London L.V. Gazette.

A BIG GAME.

More than £20,000 changed hands in the greatest game of poker ever played • n Chicago, and probably one of the record games of any country. Six professional gamblers took part in it, play.ng in a room of the Magnet Hotel, North Clark-street. They played for four consec utve days and nights, and stopped only when rumours of the contest got abroad, and threatened to bring an interruption from the police. The game was stopped for meals four times in each twenty-four hours. One man had to drop ou; for an hour because h s eyes failed him, but he resumed play afterwards. The limit was £4O; but “jackpots’ were opened for their s ze. One “jackpot” had £?i8oo in it. The loser had “foui* of a kind” against a “straight flush.”

NEW PARIS HOTEL.

The celebrated old Hotel Meurice, so well known to the habitues of Paris a generation or more ago, exists no longer ; but there has arisen on its ruins a magn - ficent and palatial structure which is destined to rival in renown even its famous old predecessor. The new hotel is wanting in no single item which can conduce to the luxury and comfort of its guests. It contains 200 bed and sitting rooms, 150 private bathrooms, and splendid reception rooms. There is a delightful palm court or w nter garden—cool in summer, warm in winter—while the roof of the bu Iding has been fitted up as a garden, whence fine v'ews can be obtained over Paris.

BEER EXPORTS FROM ENGLAND

The London L.V. Gazette says in an April issue that however much the brewers and distillers have to complain about the home trade, both have experienced a better demand from abroad. The exports of beer and ale last month amounted to 49,788 barrels of the value of against 43,436 barrels valued a t .£147,489 in March, 1906. What is perhaps most surpris ng is the enormous increase in the orders from Australia, 7,267 barrels of the value of £25 991 having been shipped to the Commonwealth last month as against 4,837 valued

at £21,717 in March, 1906. India, however, still continues our best customer, no fewer than 10,027 barrels valued at £28,319 having been sent to that coun-

try compared with 7,408 of the value of £18,411 in March, 1906. The trade w :th the United States has fallen from 6,608 barrels, valued at £27,197, to 4,415

of the value of British South Africa has once more taken less — 682 barrels as against 776 —which is not surprising in view of the continued depression existing in that country. New . Zealand has increased her orders from 651 to 958 barrels, Egypt from 1,735 to 1,937, the Straits Settlements from 989 to 1,253, and the British West Indies i from 1,137 to 1,645 barrels.

“OLD PORT” FOUND.

A short time since the librarian and caretaker of the Burra Institute, having received instructions to clear up the cellar under the council chamber for the purpose of stowing away some old papers, came upon a number of bottles of liquor, which upon exam: nation were found to be three of port wine and 12 of porter. ' There had been more wine there, but the corks had given way and the contents were lost. The oldest inhabitant cannot account for the presence of the liquor, and various surmises have been made. There is no mayor’s parlor in connection with the Burra Town Council, and there has been quite a number of total abstainers who have acted as mayor, but there were others, especially in the early days, who were not. Some persons think the intoxicants were left for a welcome given the explorer Forrest, who came through here and was welcomed. At any rate, the wine can be claimed as ‘‘old port.” At the meeting of the institute committee on Monday it was deeded to hand over the wine to the Burra Hospital—“ The Advertiser,” Adelaide, S.A.

A QUARTER OF A TON OF SILVER SOLD.

To realise the colossal quantity of the silver plate which was stored in the house of the late Mrs Lewis-Hill, and which was sold at Christie’s recently, it will be sufficient to state that its combined weight amounted to just about a quarter of a ton troy —all solid silver, not counting ‘the plated ware, and much of it of considerable age and corresponding value. Few members of the public put in an appearance yesterday, though large

crowds inspected the furniture, porcelain, and pictures in the outer rooms, and in the space of about two hours practically the whole collection was ’ secured by the dealers.

From the point of • view of value the most important item was a handsome James 11. monteith by George Garthorne, nearly 45 ounces in weight, which proved the object of a keen contest between Mr Gr.bble and Mr Crichton, the former only securing it by bidding up to £9 an ounce, or about The chief lot as regards weight was a service of solid silver plate, comprising nearly 500 pieces and of a combined weight of about 600 ounces, wh ch after a long series of bids was knocked down for Two other services were included in the sale, one of 338 ounces going for 2s lod an ounce, and another of 221 ounces making a penny less. A colossal pair of candelabra, with four branches for four lights each, weighing 443$ ounces, went for 7s an ounce. Of the antique silver sold for notable prices, in addition to the monteith, were a pair of William 111. candlesticks, which at £8 10s an ounce produced ; a Charles 11. oblong box at £5 2s an ounce totalled and a plain tankard of the same period realised just short of Towards the end of the afternoon one of the few lots not secured by the dealers, a pa r of plated soup tureens, fell to the bid of a lady present on behalf of Lady de Bathe.