GERMAN IN A HOTEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1568, 24 June 1916, Page 3

GERMAN IN A HOTEL.

STAFF REFUSE,S SERVICE. SOLDIERS’ IRE AROUSED. The presence of a German prisoner of war in one of the leading hotels in Auckland a, day or two ago. was responsible for an unusual incident (slates (lie New Zealand Herald). The prisoner, who arrived on ATonclay from the Islands, by the steamer Talune, was in charge of an officer of the Defence Department, and the two sat down for luncheon at the hotel in question. A siihstaulial repast, it is stated, was ordered, including drinks, in the. form of laager heei - , and live prisoner, who was a typical “squarehead” in appearance, went, so fa i*, it is alleged, as to call for “Gernian laager.” The officer and the prisoner were first, noticed by a lady guest, who, greatly perturbed, agitatedly told rhe licensee that there was a German at luncheon. Shortly afterwards two men, who were staying at the hotel, complained of the prisoner's presence. A number of returned soldier> I hen came upon the seem - , and their opinions were forcibly expressed to (lie licensee.

Tlii' climax <';iini* when it was intimated thal (In' l\v<> would ho presoui I'or dinner. On this, oik* of die waitresses of tho hotel (old the lioonsoo dint sho had received :i letter I'nmi hor brother in Franco, in which ho described the hardships endured l>y the inon in die trenches. On dial account she said she could not lake any par): in sorting' a llrM-class dinner tor a Merman prisoner. Hor sondmonls wore echoed hy die remainder of die staff, and they declared, dial if the Merman appeared dinner would not he served. In .fact, I hey would strike The returned soldiers also declared dial they would eject the prisoner, and there was no mistaking' their intention. One said lie had a Merman hullet in his body, and he would certainly refuse to dine with a Merman prisoner.

The* license;*, finally, was obliged to approach the ofliccr in charge of 1 he prisoner and inform him that lie would have to lake the MeVnmn elsewhere for dinner. Whereupon, it is said, the ofliccr stormed and commanded llmt ids prisoner should be allowed to dine at the hotel. He asked if, in the circumstances, they might have a private room. The licensee said he would he glad to oblige I he officer, hul, he pointed out, (he staff would not serve dinner if the two remained. There was no way out of the difficulty, and al last the ofliccr had to take his prisoner lo dine elsewhere. The waitresses at I lie hotel slate I hat (hey were mu only actuated hy patriotic motives, hut that they were incensed at the Merman’s manners. They assert llmt he treated them discoitrleousl v.