AFTER 38 YEARS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 235, 1 July 1944, Page 6

AFTER 38 YEARS

Invercargill Hotels Reopen Today INNOVATION FOR N.Z. (By Telegraph.—Press Assoeiatiou.) INVERCARGILL, June 30. After a lapse of exactly 3S years, liquor will again be openly on sale in Invercargill tomorrow. This time it is under the control of the InVercargill Licensing Trust, which will begin trading from four premises, the Kelvin, the Clyde, the Appleby, and the Brown Owl. The event will not be marked by any official ceremony by the trust. The premises will open at .10 a.m., close again from 2 p.m. to *1 p.m., and reopen from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in keeping with the legal requirements for Saturday. There have been reports of crowds coming from Bluff, Nightcaps, Gore, and even from Dunedin for the occasion, and it is thought that accommodation at the bars will not be sufficient. It may, however, be a matter of history repeating itself. ‘ When the hotels were closed on June 30, 1900, the streets were thronged with crowds in to see the fun, but they were mostly there out of curiosity and the night passed off fairly quietly. Trust control of the sale of liquor is an innovation for New Zealand and has created 'Dominion-wide interest. Chairman's Statement.

"The introduction of liquor is only a small part ot the duties of the Invercargill Licensing Trust. One of our first essential duties is to provide more and better accommodation for the travelling public.” said Mr. Hugh Ritchie, chairman of the Trust, in a statement today. The Trust is on the eve of opening its venture in Invercargill, and naturally members are proud of the fact that we have been, able to provide liquor on July 1, in accordance with the Government statement,” said Mr. Ritchie. "Liquor has been restored in Invercargill by the wish of the people, and it is for the Trust with the powers vested in it 'by the Act to bring it in under new conditions. We want to show the rest of New Zealand that drink can serve a useful purpose in the community, and not be an enemy If we do this, we will have solved one of the vexing questions of this and other countries. The Trust having no incentive to encourage the sale of liquor has a tremendous advantage over tne ordinary publican. With the goodwill of the public, we feel sure of suqpess. Our experiment in the Brown Owl is going to be an interesting one. We want the support of the average citizens who ar e non-drinkers, and hope they will use the restaurant as usual, thus preventing it from becoming a'drinking house only.”

Mr. Ritchie added that the duties of the Trust had so far not been pleasant, as it had to offend some people, and had to take over buildings against the wishes of the owners. Many owners of what were hotels and hotel sites when nolicence was introduced had been disappointed at the Trust not buying these properties, and an anomalous position had arisen that some were disappointed because the Trust, had not taken their properties, while others did not wish to sell properties the Trust wanted to acquire. In all cases, however, the Trust though to comepnsate them adequately, though they must not except such goodwill as licensed premises would command. No "Shouting” or Credit.

B.eer drinkers who like full value for their money will be able to get 12 ounces of draught ale for 7d. when hotels open in Invercargill tomorrow. The price was decided on by the Invercargill Licensing Trust when it discussed prices yesterday. Prices were fixed as follows: —Draught beer, 12oz. for 7d.; soz. and 7oz. for (id.; bottled beer, Soz. for Cd.; whisky, brandy, gin and rum, lOd. a nip; liqueurs. 1/3 a nip; cocktails, 1/- a nip; mixed drinks, such as brandy and port, 1/- a nip; port and sherries. 6d. a nip. No great concessions are being made by the Trust, but a 12-ounce glass of beer for 7d. is the law and will be served in all the Trust-controlled premises The Trust also decided that drinks should be the same price in all bars and lounges, including the Brown Owl restaurant. When the matter was being discussed the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., said it was the Trust's idea to encourage the lounge system, and he maintained that if a higher charge was made in lounges the lounge drinker would be penalized. He thought the price should be the same all over.

No tipping will be allowed, and notices will be erected in various parts of the Trust’s buildings to this effect. There will also be notices to the effect that no “shouting” will be allowed aud no credit given.