TEST MATCH THIRST

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1933, Page 7

TEST MATCH THIRST

CROWDS IN BRISBANE

ABOUT £3OOO EXPENDED

Though the test cricketers And . spectators might be inclined to doubt it, there is much to be said for the hot

weather—from the point of view of the caterer, says the Brisbane ,!‘Daily Mail” in referring to the fourth test match. For oold drinks and ice creams aione ; it is estimated that the 91,000 odd persons who paid to witness the match in the five days of play spent upwards of £3OOO on the grounds. Beer was an easy first in popularity. The four )>ar3 on the ground^— on© in the members’ area, one in the grandstand enclosure and two in the outer —cleared, at a rough estimate, 1700 gallons of draught beer and about 600 dozen bottles. This totals about 55,000 glasses and represents more than £I3OO.

Next in order cam© the soft drinks, accounting for nearly £llOO of the money spent by the crowds at the match. Though official figures- > were not available, it was l estimated that about 3300 dozen bottles of aerated waters—43,2oo bottles—were disposed of. In addition, thousands fooß their liquid refreshment with them'.;; Ice cream was in great, demand.. In all, more than 200 “buckets”—some large some small —were sold, -. which means that, roughly, 28,000 .persons consumed the frozen dainty, on the grounds. The cost ©f this; -'quantity to the consumers was something like £6OO. .

Keeping the liquids cool enough for the taste of the crowd, necessitated the use of a considerable quantity, of ice. Actually 30 tons, of ice did its'jbb—and melted away. A popular brand of chewing gum sold lik© the .proverbial hot cakes. Nearly 4000 packets .were disposed of. Pies were rioti 4n great demand, probably on account of the weather. Only a. mere 5000. or. so of these found buyers. ' :v