HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1146, 28 March 1912, Page 21

HERE AND THERE.

A conference between the hotel propriety is and employees at Rotorua amicably decided on an award governing hotels for the next three years. A slight increase in wages has been provided throughout.

At the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court last week, Gideon Scott, details of whose ingenious “plan” of liquo r in the garden and of a police raid thereon previously appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of keeping liquor for sale, and was ftned £5O and costs.

Mr F. Hilton, who for some time past has been licensee of the Paekal.ariki hotel, has disposed of that property. Prior to leaving, Mr Hilton was presented by the residents with a travelling rug, whilst Mrs Hilton was the recipient of a hand-bag and purse. In making the presentation Mr Robinson inferred to the many acts of kind-* ness extended by Mr and Mrs Hilton during their four years’ residence amongst them.

Mr G. Jones, late of the Suffolk Hotel, has taken over the Masonic Hotel, Devonport from Mr A. R. Bragato.

Situated half way between Morrinsville and Rotorua, on the Rotorua line, the Putaruru Hotel is in constant demand with the travelling public. It adjoins the railway station, where all trains stop ten minutes, so that one may be refreshed with the maximum of ease. The proprietor, Mr W. F. Bell, is assiduous in his energies to ensure the satisfaction of patrons, and he enjoys a wide popularity with all sections. Visitors who desire to inspect the surroundingcountry can make arrangements for motor . car trips.

The Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, which has recently been taken over by Mr G. Bodley, is one of the most popular rendezvous in the district. Travellers will find it a haven of comfort, Mr Bodley paying particular attention t<? the wants of the public, while rhe terms are very moderate.

Mr H. C. Baker, late of Whangarei, has purchased the interest of the Royal Hotel, Hamilton, from Mr J. T. iCoughlan.

With the facilities that are being opened up for travel now-a-days, one gets plenty of opportunities for exploring new country. A favourite trip is along the Napier-Taupo road, and tourists and others making the journey should make a point of stopping at the Hot Springs Hotel, Tarawera. Under Mr George E. Kirk’s regime, this hotel can not be surpassed for meeting the requirements of travellers, and those who have partaken of its hospitality speak most highly of the accommodation. Fishing, shooting, hot mineral, baths are a few of the attractions offered. Motorists ■ will 'find the hotel a most desirable haven.

During his recent tour, Mr H. B. Irving made a special study of crime and the drink question in New Zealand. Speaking to a Sydney interviewer, the famous actor expressed surprise that prohibition is gaining ground here, because, compared with the United Kingdom, New Zealand is a solder country, consuming only half the quantity of liquor per head.

Mr J. P. Bierne, of the Empire Hotel, Greymouth, has purchased the Grosvenor Hotel, Blenheim.

At the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court, Mrs Peters, licensee of Tattersail’s iHottel, was fined £2 with costs on a charge of obtaining- the services of a barman without first making application to the secretary of the Hotel Employees’ Union to supply hep with a worker. Henry Thomas Andrews, licensee of the Southern Hotel was fined £ 2 with costs on a similar •charge.

At a meeting of the Gisborne Licensing committee the following applications for transfers were granted: J. A. Lucas, Coronation hotel, to R. S. Caulton; J. M. Thomas, Marumaru hotel, to Jeremiah Kelliher; M. Keady, Bridge hotel, to Ed. Law.

The Railway Hotel, Mercer, is now under the proprietorship of Mi’ W. C. Pickett, who is so well known throughout the Waikato' district. Travellers may rely upon receiving every mention on arrival at Mercer. Motorists will especially find this house a comfortable and convenient place of call before negotiating the Rangiriri hills or a resting place after the homeward journey. Afternoon tea and other refreshments will be provided at all hours.

At the conference of the Young Maori Party at Nuhak a a good deal of attention was given to the practice of hotelkeepers in certain towns not allowing Maoris to board at their hotels. The matter wa s fully discussed, and a number of those present gave instances of where they had been turned out of hotels. One of th e members said that he had visited a fairly large town in which there was a number of hotels. H e inquired for lodgings at all of them, but received one answer “There is no room.” He went to a policeman, and together they visited an hotel. The policeman.instead of inquiring into the matter, sent the gentleman in to inquire whether he could get accommodation. He was again told that there w r as no room, and could not get any satisfaction from the policeman. The result was .that he had to walk the streets all night) and in the morning he took train to another towm. The conference decided to communicate with all licensing committees in the Dominion on the subject, more particularly with those in districts where the practice appeared to be most prevalent.

Visitors to Hastings desiring a comfortable hotel at a moderate tariff will find it in the Stortford Lodge Hotel. Mr E. A. Grenside is the proprietor, and his ability and experience in this line ensure the popularity of his house. The cuisine is in special hands, and the best of wines and spirits are stocked.

Some members of the deputation which waited on the Attorney-Gener-al, Mr Holman, to urge th e earlier closing of hotels looked rather shocked (says Sydney “Sun”) when the Minister, in a most enthusiastic manner, advocated the drinking of good Australian wine “I was a teetotaller for many years,” said Mr Holman, “but I am now convinced that total abstinence does not suit me. Some years ago I was ill, and my doctor ad- 1 vised me to drink small quantities of Australian wine, and I drank some — and have been drinamg it ever since, 1 feel convinced that it has done me a lot of good, and not a bit of barm. Some of you, perhaps, don’t believe there is any alcoholic drink that is harmless.” ‘‘We don’t’ chorused the deputation, and the chorus was a loud one , for it numbered over 50 persons representative of the clerical and temperance forces of Sydney. In his reply to the deputation, Mr Holman said he thought Australians were far more temperate than they were fifteen years ago.

Two licensees of New Malden were the victims of the masterful methods of pragmatical police (reports the London “L.V. Gazette”). A local Marathon race was being organised and of flhe two delinquents in question, one subscribed a cheque towards the expense of the event and the other gave a cup to be competed for. When the i rst was officially informed that he had done wrong he took the cheque back and the other, on learning that he was committing a wicked act, withdrew the cup. The representative of the two offenders rightly protested against such trivial circumstances being brought before the Court, and he must have been amazed when he was informed by the chairman that for a licensed victualler to offer a cup for a race was a most unwise and foolish thing to do. We take it (concludes our contemporary) that in future when the license holders of New Malden are in a benevolent mood they will send a cheque to the funds of the nearest lunatic asylum qt dash a handful of gold into the collect box of the Police Orphanage. In either case our sage and discriminating constabulary cannot fail to participate in the benefaction. 4