HOTEL ACCOMMODATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 December 1901, Page 2

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION.

The Grey Licensing Committee at its last quarterly meeting sounded a warning note that cannot be heedlessly passed over. At the annual meeting they granted all licenses ; some on the distinct understanding that improvements were made. In the greater number of cases the requirements were complied with. In a few instances the conditions were either overlooked, or ignored. The other day the Bench set forth unmistakably that its orders were not |o be trifled with and ad-

journed for one month to allow the conditions to be complied with. This in some cases involves new buildings, the present ones being old and delapidated. But the Bench went further and stated that the time had arrived when a better class of hotels would be insisted on. This is generally taken to moan that the older, smal'er and out of date establishments will have to give way to houses more in keeping with modern requirements, and that at next annual meeting a number of new hotels will be ordered to take the place of some of those at present doing service. Of course, in all rising towns, and more especially in goldfields communities, where public houses are run up in a more or less rough and ready stylo, and with more regard to a bar trade than that of a bona fide hotel, the necessity for improvement sc oner or later becomes manifest and pressing. In Greymouth where we have emerged from the digging to the commercial zone, there is a very general concensus of opinion in favor of improvement in hotel accommodation, and the Bench has merely voiced the general desire, and when a general desire is expressed, that desire is generally given effect to. The feeling too is strong in the direction that large and well conducted hotels should not be put on the same bases as those establishments which have practically no accommodation for visitors or boarders. The Act, as it at present stands, makes no distinction in this respect, leaving it to the discretion of the Bench, acting upon information obtained by the police, to say what shall be considered ample to meet public requirements. We know that at holiday times the accommodation at Greymouth is quite inadequate; yet the number of hotels to the population is inordinately large. If all provided a reasonable number of rooms there would be plenty for all visitors. It is in this direction we presume that the Licensing Bench intend to act, and although possibly there may bo one or two cases where the owners or landlords may consider themselves somewhat stiffly dealt with, yet this cannot be allowed to stand in the way of advancement and the public welbeing. Hotelkeepers like all others must advance with the requirements of the times, and those who do not will simply have to drop out of existence. The hint given at the annual meeting was emphasised at the quarterly meeting last week, and it will be well for all concerned to take time by the forelock and make their preparations in time. In other towns this course has been followed with much advantage to the public and landlords alike, and the Bench is only following the natural course of events in applying the same procedure here.

Mr Turnbridge, Commissioner of Police, is at present on the West Coast, on a tour of inspection.

The “Sierra” with the British mails of the 23rd November, left San Francisco on the 6th inst at 11 a.m., a day late.

From year to year and day to day there is one establishment at which you can find a first class selection of toys and fancy goods. That establishment is Urquhart’s, Novelties Depot, Greymouth. —Advt.

Trout fishing is now one of the more popular sports in the district. This morning Mr T. Owens secured three fine trout in the Grey Eiver near the racecourse ; one of them—a real beauty—weighing 14lbs.

A large portion of the district hitherto controlled by the Nelson Lands Board is to be transferred to the Westland Board at an eady date. This will prove a great convenience to Coast residents.

We are very pleased to hear that the pupils of St. Johns Presbyterian Sabbath Schools, who went in for the Scripture examination, have done well. All the candidates numbering 46 passed. Miss Lilly McMeekin gained the higher number of marks obtainable—having to her credit 100 per cent for scripture and 100 per cent for catechism. We congratulate the teachers and pupils on such a splendid result. Palmerston North residents are forming a poultry association, and considering the question of forming it into a cooperative poultry supply association, with retail stores in various centres.

At a deputation at Dunedin the other day, Mr Kaye complained of the bad writing of some of the telegraph messages. Sir Joseph stated that they would be trying the experiment of typewriting the messages, and if successful this system would probably bo adopted.

One result of the visit of Mr J. G. Gow, New Zealand Trade Commissioner, to Natal has been a large order from a cold storage company in Durban for New Zealand pumice for insulation purposes. Two lawyers rose in succesion in the Wellington S. M. Court on Wednesday. Mid told the Bench that they had decided to settle the cases themselves, because they had no faith in the Court as constituted. Neither of the legal gentlemen was committed for contempt of Court. One of the lawyers. Mr Hindmarsh openly stated that a J.P. had adjudicated on a case in which a relative of his was concerned, and that it was very improper that he should have done so. Siys the Timaru Herald:—lt is reported that tiace the Factories Act came into operation a few days ago, several factories have discharged a good number of their “older apprentices,’ 1 and taken on beginners. It is further said that this development will help to solve the servant girl problem, as the young woman who have been discharged will, failing factory employment, have to go out to service. For ladies ties, fichus, collarettes, bolts, and every description of ladies neck and body decoration, no drapery warehouse in Westland can approach the infiqite variety and chaste styles of T. W. Tymons and Co.’s latest importations. In the firm’s underskirt division, a tireless endeavour is made to obtain the very latest style of garments, hence the department has secured the complete confidence and popularity of the ladies of Westland. T. W. Tymons and Co.’s “huge purchases” and “colossal sales’’ ara household words. In no other way of business could the firm afford to sell their goods at such low prices. The magnitude of their trade is the cause, secret, and corollary of thtir success.— Advt -

The sum of £26 in gold and silver was (says the Wellington “Post”) recovered from debris of the Oriental Hotel fire on Tuesday, and handed it to Mrs Watson. Most of the sovereigns and halt-sove-reigns were but slightly defaced by the heat, but the silver had melted. Mrs Watson had £l5O in cash in her room at the time of the outbreak of the fire, and she had not time to save any of it when making her escape.

Mr Seddon says that the revenue for the eight months ending the 30th of November is £3,387.312, as compared with £3,287,696 for the same period last year. The customs revenue for the same period is £1,392,876, as against £1,334,138, and railways £133,532, as against £101,199.

Tho temperature of the colony to-day ranged from Tiritiri, with 70 degrees t° Westport with 3. The tides generally are good. Tho sea is increasing all along the West Coast.

Recently a firm of booksellers in Melbourne was prosecuted and heavily fined for selling certain works by the French novelist Emile Zola. Tho Court having decided that these novels came within the class of indecent literature, the customs authorities on the 23ult. confiscated a CQnsignment of Zola’s works that were being landed at Port Melbourne. Black swans have been largely exterminated in Tasmania by the indiscriminate shooting by alleged sportsmen, and until recently a considerable trade has been done in the sale of the birds’ eggs as an article of food. Now, however, the shooting of swans and the taking of eggs have been prohibited by Parliament. Mr Webley, senr., (of Webley and Sons, Christchurch), pianoforte tuner, etc., is now in Greymouth, and will take the earliest opportunity of calling upon clients. Agents for the sale of Brinsmead and Sons, Lipp and Haake pianos; also Mason and Hamlin organs. Address— Gilmer Hotel.—Anvr.

The superior qualities of the Ceylon Teas, are rapidly supplanting the inferior Chinese products "n nil the markets of western civilization. The teas grown in the virgin lands of the Singalese, possesses greater strength, richer aroma, and an infinitely larger percentage of the Alkaloid Tlieine, (the active principle and stimulating property of the plant) than do the teas grown by artificial eviration on exhausted soil of China. Hence bulk for bulk, the Ceylon Teas are cheaper, purer, more stimulating, and possess a rare fragrance, wanting in those of the Celestial Empire- Of all the brands of Ceylon Teas, the “ Kiosk ” stands eminently supreme and without rival. Messrs Harley and Co, the wellknown auctioneers and general agents, are the sole agents for Westland of this incomparable brand, and sell it to the general public in full chests, and 51b packages. If a trial is made of the Kiosk tea, no other will again be used and knowing that “ once a customer a customer for ever.” Messrs Harley and Co, are offering it for the present at prices, that no other firm can compete against. All large consumers, and heads of households, would do well to give the “ Kiosktea a trial. There is quality, economy, and money in it.— AdvtSome of the highest living medical authorities attribute the great growth of physical and mental disease which has characterised the last few decades, to the universality of adulturation. They affirm that the taking into the system continually by human beings as food, substances which are chemically foreign and not only incapable of sustaining healthy life, but constitute a perpetual danger to it, is largely responsible for the new and complex diseases that baffie their curative skill. Therefore be wise in time, eat only

K Jam and avoid these dangers. Absolute purity guaranteed— Advt.