TRADE TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1045, 17 March 1910, Page 20

TRADE TOPICS.

Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny, S.M., has been gazetted Chairman of the Egmont, Patea, and Stratford Licensing Committees, vice Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., who is absent on leave.

Mr. Walter Isherwood has disposed of his interest in the Manutahi Hotel, (Patea), to Mr. D. Roe, who takes over the premises at the end of the month.

The Royal Hotel, Palmerston North, which has recently been taken over by Mr. A. H. Rogers, (late of the Albion Hotel, Wanganui), has been completely renovatea and refurnished, and should prove a most popular house for the travelling public. Special rates are charged for commercials and professionals. The appointments are superior and up-to-date in every particular, and under the capable regime of Mr. Rogers, the Royal Hotel should stand high in the public estimation.

In addressing Mr. H. W. Bishop at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, concerning a contract which, it was alleged, had been signed by a man who was drunk, Mr. Cassidy said that the transaction had taken place in a hotel at night. “Do you wish me to assume that because a man signs a contract in a hotel at night he is drunk?” asked Mr. Bishop; “if so, it is the greatest argument in favour Qf prohibition I have heard for some time.” “ I wish you to assume, sir, that the meeting was not a dry one,” responded Mr. Cassidy smilingly.

At the Auckland Police Court on Friday, before. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., an elderly man named Thomas Godken, was charged with selling liquor without having a license. It appears that the accused was the keeper of a small retail shop in which, among other things, he sold ginger beer and cordials. In addition to this liquid refreshment a local wine was also offered for sale. A sample bottle of this was purchased by the police, and subsequently analysed. The wine was found to contain a large percentage of alcohol, calculated to cause intoxication if taken in sufficient quantities. The defendant, while admitting the sale of the wine, stated that although he charged one shilling a bottle for it he made less profit on it than he did on lemonade. A fine of £3, with £3 10s costs, was imposed, time being allowed in which to find the money

Rather a curious defence was put up by a “drunk” at one of our prohibition towns up north the other day. What have you to say for yourself, sir?” demanded the Magistrate, indignantly. “ You look like a respectable man, and ought to be ashamed to stand there.” “I am very sorry sir, but I came up from Auckland in bad company?” “What sort of company?” “A lot of teetotallers!” was the startling response. “ Did you mean to say teetotallers are bad company?” exclaimed the Magistrate, in surprise. “ I think they are the best company for such as you!” “Ah, you don’t understand, sir,” said the prisoner, “ I nad a bottle of whisky and I had to drink it all myself!”—Wellington Free Lance.

There was a house-warming at the Poroti Hotel, Whangarei, last Thursday week, when some 25 gentlemen foregathered from the four corners of the district to welcome the popular tenancy of the new landlord Mr. D. Ruddell. Among the guests was a brake party from Whangarei, and there were individual friends who had journeyed over 30 miles to the ceremony. Sumptuous refreshments were tackled with avidity, and afterwards the evening was accounted for musi-

cally and mirthfully, until 9.15, when the party dissolved into its several parts and made its several way homewards. Mr. Ruddell is a well-esteem-ed district resident of long standing, and bids fair to make a very good name for himself in his new vocation. a • i •

Says an American paper: “For a period of ten years, L. J. Coburn must not drink liquor, visit a place where liquor is sold or associate with a person who is a habitual drinker. This alcoholic exile was imposed by Judge Bledsoe when he agreed to parole Coburn, who had pleaded guilty to the charge of forging cheques. . He is a son of ex-Sheriff Coburn, of Riverside county. Another condition made by Judge Bledsoe was that Coburn should love and care for his wife, and two little children. To play safe from the liquor habit, Coburn will go to an isolated Montana ranch owned by relatives and will report through the nearest peace officer at least twice a year.”

A special meeting of the Waikato Licensing Committee was held to consider applications from the Te Kuiti Racing Club and the Hamilton Polo Club for booths at their meetings at Claudelands on March 23 and April 2, respectively. Mr. Swarbrick, who appeared in support, urged that it was preferable that the liquor which was certain to be consumed on the ground should be supplied under proper control, and as the Licensing Act provided for the issue of conditional licenses as a convenience to the public these should be granted unless very strong reason was assigned against them. The committee decid ed to refuse both applications.

Mr. Jno. Endean, s enr, one. of .the best known and most popular of Auckland hotelkeepers has decided to take a holiday and was a passenger to England by . the Mongolia yesterday. His many friends will wish him a most enjoyable trip. In the meantime the Thames Hotel will be in charge of Mr. J. A. Endean, junr, who takes over the license and business, . * * * * Mr. Mclntosh has bought out Mr. T. H. Hewitt’s interest in the Mangawhare Hotel, Mangawhare. * ♦ * » The Seacliff Hotel, (Dunedin) now unlicensed was burned down shortly after midnight on Saturday. It was insured for £5OO and .was occupied by a man named Berry.