TOO MANY CANDLESTICKS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1123, 19 October 1911, Page 22

TOO MANY CANDLESTICKS.

COLONEL’S DEFECTIVE VISION.

From London comes an amusing incident in connection with a well-known British regiment. There had been a good amount of not very moderate drinking in the mess and the Colonel had determined to exert his good influence to abate.the evil. He was by no means a bigot on the subject, but Was jealous for the reputation of the regiment and solicitous also .for the welfare of the younger members placed in his care. He started by taking aside the junior officer of the mess in the conclusion of dinner and said in his usual kindly way: “See here, my boy. There has been rather too much whisky going the round of late. Now I am just off to quarters. I can’t stay to-night., but I want to drop you a little hint by way of warning. Go easy with the decanter,. my. boy. Remember the honour of the regiment and all that sort of thing, you know. Now, you see that pair of silver candlesticks over yonder. Well keep your eye on. ‘em and when you begin to see four instead of two —well, clear out, my boy; go home.” “Thank you, sir,” replied the youngster; “I will. But I can only see one candlestick;-' at present, sir, and I —l really think there is only one, sir.”

We regret to hear of the death of Mr. William J. Waters, which occurred at Dunedin. The deceased gentle-

man who was sixty-one years of age, was ex-licensee of the City Hotel, and for many years connected with volunteer and athletic movements at Port Chalmers. Deceased, who leaves a widow and seven children, was president of the Dunedin Licensed Victuallers’ Association, which has lost its two chief executive officers within the present year.

A curious mistake in the transmission of a telegram to the Mayor of Waihi (Mr. J. Newth) led to a deputation of business men and propertyowners waiting upon him. It appears that the telegram as received by the Mayor was as follows:—-“Did town properties increase in value as a result of the abolishing of licenses?” the Mayor’s answer was “No.” The answer was the text for public statements by no-license leaders, to the effect that property values had decidedly increased in Waihi since no-license had been introduced. The deputation waited on the Mayor in connection with these statements. Mr. Newth explained that a reference to the original copy received from Wellington showed that the word “increase” should have been “decrease.” He further stated that if the telegram had be'en received as put in at the Te Aro office, his reply would have been “Yes” as, in his opinion, Waihi had not received either moral or material benefit as a result of no-iicense. The Alayor has made a statutory declaration to the. above effect.