STRUCK THE “DOUBLE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 9

STRUCK THE “DOUBLE”

GISBORNE MAN’S LUCK An incident reminiscent of bygone days in Gisborne, when money metaphorically (lowed like water, occurred a few days ago, when a wellknown resident struck a “double,” and added to his finances by a. sum of well over half a century. By those means known only to the initiated, friends by the score heard the glad news, and a substantial sum was expended in the course of a few hours. Now needless to say, many of the “sports” of the town have donned their thinking caps and are hoping to do likewise. As is well known, however, names in connection with doubles are forbidden in the newspapers of tlio Dominion, but an exception has been made in one case in this town, and a ''‘double” which can bo depended on a "cert” is published for tlio information of “sports” and , others interested. This is one of the cases where no penalty is attached to the lucky individual who chooses it, for the double is “Waitemata ale and the Gisborne Hotel,” surely .as popular a speculation as can be found in any pari of New Zealand. The new proprietor of the Gisborne, Mr. J. Bray, prior to his arrival here some years ago, spent his life up till then in Auckland, where Waitemata heads the list of ales, but strange to say it could not be procured at any hotel in Gisborne. With commendable enterprise', and after much negotiation, Mr. Bray made arrangements for regular weekly shipments to the Gisborne Hotel, where the cellars are already stocked with this wonderfully exhilarating beverage, which in addition to slaking the thirst is claimed to have distinctly beneficial medicinal qualities, and to be palatable alike in the height of summer or the depth of winter. Incidentally the private bar at the Gisborne has been extended to twice its former size, and now is the cosy rendezvous of all classes of the community. So popular indeed is the private bar at the Gisborne nowadays that, so far as socialability is concerned, it has almost assumed the naturo of a club, for it is a popular daily meeting place. Now, can anyone imagine a more popular double than Waitemata ale and the Gisborne.*