FRUIT VENDORS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 167, 9 April 1919, Page 8

FRUIT VENDORS

BARROWMEN'S RENT

£266 FOR THREE MONTHS

The fruit shopkeepers of 'Wellington have recently been crying aloud about the street fruit vendor being allowed to exist at all. One of the arguments used by the shopmen was that the barrowmen paid no rent and no rates, and it was not fair for them to have to compete against him. The answer came yesterday afternoon when the Chief Inspector of the city (Mr. James Doyle) offered for sale by auction sixteen stands in various parts of/ the city for a term of three (April/Hay. and June). There was a fairly numerous attendance at tho Town Hall, and the bidding was brisk, particularly on the part of the Hindu barrowuian, who has largely replaced his 'white brother. As the result of the sale .tho City Council netted the sum of J!2G6 for street-selling rights. As there has hcen a good deal of commen on tho question, it 'will interest many to know exactly what rent is being paid for each, of tho stands sold yesterday. The return was as follows:—

Courlenay Plnce tramway "junction, ,£l7; corner Tory Street and Courlenay Place, „El 2; corner Taranaki- Street and Courtenny Place, .£l2; corner Cuba and Vivian, Streets, JJI2"; corner Cuba and Garrett Streets, cCI 7 55.; corner Cuba aud Glvusnee Streets, .£23; corner Cuba and Dixon Streets, £2t>; Manners Street (Royal Oak corner), „£2B; Lambton Quay'(opposite Ctreshain Hotel), i' 22; Lambton Quay (opposite Royal Hotel), JBI9 10s.; Lambton Quay (opposite National Hotel), JGI9 10s.; 'G.P.O. (Grey Street corner), -81*; G.P.O. (Brandon Street corner), .£11; corner Bowen,Street and Lambton Quay, ,£l7 10s.; Sydney Street, i' 7 155.; Thorndon Station. M 10s.

Oijt of the sixteen ptands offered, twelve were securedi.-y Hindus. There was bidding by white dealers, but the Hindus, in most cases, outbid them and got the stands.