HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 26 June 1913, Page 24

HERE AND THERE.

Mr M. H. Robertson, mine host of the New Commercial Hotel, Wellington, returned to town last week after spending a very enjoyable few days’ holiday in the Wairarapa.

Since coming into proprietorship of the Shamrock Hotel, Auckland, Mr Bob Mitchell has proved himself an ideal host. The Hokianga Football team, winners of the B grade competition, who were under his tender care during their stay in the Queen City, speak in high terms of Mr Mitchell’s many good qualities.

Mr. J. S. Pagni has intimated his intention of resigning the secretaryship of the Auckland Licensed Victuallers’ Association, and also his seat on the Provincial Council of the associated liquor interests. The genial host of the British Hotel has filled the secretarial office with so much conspicuous ability and zeal that his resignation comes as a serious blow to the licensees, who will find it a difficult matter to replace him, with anyone who is likely to take a tithe of the interest Mr. Pagni has always manifested in his work. We understand that ' Mr. Pagni’s resignation will take effect at the end of the month.

The Captain Cook Hotel, in Khyber Pass, under the management of Mr, D. Rogers, is as well conducted as any licensed house in the city or province. An old traveller himself, Mr. Rogers knows how to cater for the comfort of his guests, and just what they require to make them feel at home, and both considerations have been borne in mind by the genial licensee, in the arrangements he has made for the conduct of his house. Mr. Rogers is a good fellow. May his. shadow never grow less and may his mana increase.

Visitors to Christchurch are directed to the Imperial Hotel, which is recognised as a quiet and comfortable home just out of the noise and bustle of the city, being only five minutes’ walk from Cathedral Square. Mr. James Dickson, the proprietor, is a gentleman well-known in athletic circles in the South, especially at the Bluff, where he is much respected. Mr. Dickson has increased the trade at the Imperial by his attention to the requirements of his guests, and general improved management of the hotel.

‘When is a man drunk?” was a question which occupied the attention of the Auckland Magistrate’s Court the other day. Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., considered that there were various stages. First a man was merry, then hilarious, and then he advanced by various stages until he “fell in a heap on the pavement.” The witness in the box at the time professed himself unable to explain when a man was drunk or “tipsy,” but Mr. J. R. Reed, K.C., ultimately came to the rescue with the definition once given by a learned Judge. “His definition,” said Mr. Reed, “was that a man was drunk, not when he was what a prohibitionist would call drunk, or what a publican would call not drunk, but when he was in such a condition that the ordinary man in the street would say that he had had enough.”

“They have stamped me a sly-grog seller, and put me in gaol (said accused in a sly-grog case at Matawai), “I will sell whisky until hell freezes.” His Worship: H’m. That is a peculiar expression. I have heard a few expressions, but I have never heard that before.

Senior Sergeant Hutton: He evidently intends to do a good business, your Worship. (Laughter). In reply to accused, witness said he was sure the two men were under the influence of liquor. Accused: I want your Worship to understand that these are two respectable men.

His Worship: That may be so, but respectable men sometimes get under (the influence of liquor.

A house-warming party gathered together at the Grand Hotel, Wellington, on Thursday last, when Miss M. B. Yates, one of the popular barmaids of the establishment, was made the recipient of some mementos in honour of her birthday. The presentations were made by Misses Le-

herty and Devlin, who, in a neat speech, referred to the happy association of Miss Yates and other girls employed in the Grand. After the presentations were over the rest of the evening was spent in harmony, songs, etc., which proved conclusively that the barmaids of the Grand are indeed a very happy family.

At the adjourned meeting of the Batea Licensing Committee the chair man (Mr. Kenrick, S.M.) raised an objection to the manner in which some licensees disposed of their interests in houses and stipulated a time for the completion of the purchase, which did not allow time for

the procuring of a Magistrate’s order

and a temporary and permanent transfer. The present practice was to apply for a certificate of waiver under section 2 92, but this was improper procedure, as the section was only intended to apply where something had been neglected or omitted, but not wilfully.