THE LAW CRIES "STOP."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 8

THE LAW CRIES "STOP."

UNSATISFIED SYDNEY DINERS. "You can't have ice-cream; you've had two courses already." This "(says the Sydney "Telegraph ') was (he ver<!,ict of the Portia-like waitress at tho Civil Sorvico Stores. Then she added: "Poo! Ilcro's the rule," and she indicated a fly-leaf on the menu, which hore tho tragic legend: "To comply with the conditions of the reccnt industrial award, a 'meal of not more than two courses will be served in this tea-room." The mail, who had a penchant for Sicilian bombs, gasppd: "What! Do you mean to say that tho law is going to restrict my appetite? Oil, this is too much. The law will starve me. It doesn't understand my appetite. I've only hod soup and curried white, bait. I'll pay double for an ice-cream.'' But Portia was adamant. "No," sho said severely, "the law says you've finished. Here's your ticket." Portia's verdict was upheld by tho hiigher tribunal, the manager of tiie establishment. "Having had two courses, you can't get n third course here for love or money—short of buying out tin's establishment, lock, stock, and barrel." It was explained Or,it two courses meant that the premises wero classed as tea-rooms, while three courses constituted tliom n restaurant, and required that the waitresses should be paid (is. Gd. per week more. Tho directors of Iho Civil Service Stores nro considering whether tliey will appeal against the award; but, meanwhile they are experimenting with their patrons' appetites. Tho bomb-lover walked sadly away, wondering whether lie could solve the difficulty for himself. If lie settled bis bill for two courses and then walked three times round his table, would he I/O a new customer? Or would.it be necessary (o walk out of the building, and then seek a fresh table out of the perspective of the former Portia-like directress of his appetite's destinies?