CARROLL'S TEA ROOMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 8

CARROLL'S TEA ROOMS.

[To the Editor.]

Sir,—As a citizen'of Wellington, I was very much astonished to-read the tactless, unbusinesslike, and heartless harangue in the City Council's meeting recentlv, in reference to tho abovo premises ami with Mr. Carroll I say emphatically, that their verdict-was,-to say the least, grossly exaggerated. 1 am sure tho City Corporation inspectors ami councillors could keep safely within tho bounds of requirements and their i uty in such'matters, and would bo dealing properly with such matters as sanitation, etc if'they confined tliemscsl-ves strictly, to tho Act or the by-laws, and "do. justice according thereto, without unnecessarily calling up public censure.. If the authorities had imposed a line °t Jfiw on the snot they could not have inflicted a more damaging nunishment-.than by unnecessarily publishing Mr. Carroll s name in such an iudiscreet and unfair manner, especially when they practically made the charges 'behind his back. Even if Mr. Carroll had been fined before a Magistrate in the ordinnry way, the Magistrate could use his discretion about publishing the name in such a case; at the Mimo time, the mailer would be remedied to every satisfaction, without injury, as well as penalty. Apart from that, and even if the premises were in such a state as reported, it would be a very strong evidence of tho inspector s neglect of duty and regular inspection. I should feel correct in saying that the health officers and inspectors are there to do Iheir duty in seeing (hat 'all premises are always kept clean by regular and frequent inspections of same, and "not" to wait until there is a plague «care" to compel them to start operations. Their element of duty in protecting the public's interest and health should be prevention—not cure and instead ot perhaps in directly being the instrument of ruin to a 'man's business, they could with proper discretion carry out their work with tho best results. Because, it they did their duty carefully aud regularl'v, they should not often have to report a case, much less to publish a name before prosecution. Vow, sir, I have frequented Mr. Carroll's premises practically ever since ho opened business, and my visits have been, both on business and pleasure (refreshment). My business led me to his bakehouse, kitchen, etc., niul'l always found Ihem to my best satisfaction, and my pleasure led me. to his refreshment rooms, and my oninion has always been that throughout the whole establishment is a, "credit to the city,", and more so because I know when I sit down that Mr. Carroll has not got a Chinaman or nigger cook, and that is a i'uet one. does not knowwhen ho sits in s-ome of the best hotels, until he goes to the kitchen to find out. Apart from that, anyone must know-that in the everyday winkings of a business such as Mr." Carroll's, that a great quantity of refuse could easily collect in the course of a. single day, aud I should judge that such ie£u?c would (comparatively) be the loa-st olTeiisive. Personally, I sympathise with Mr. Carroll and staff that such a useless and unmerited reflection eshould have been cast upon the name of his fine business, just because "plague-prompted" inspectors should happen to come along in the depth of winter and did not happen to find his premises looking like a "showcase," and I am sure Mr. Carroll's many patrons, aud the general public will join me in such sympathy.—l am, etc., ONE ASTONISHED. Wellington, July 8, 1911.