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Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 185, 29 May 1903, Page 3

Disputes between brewers and publicans are by no means peculiar to New Zealand. A dispute of this kind in Portsmouth, England, has produced a state of affairs described as *"a publichouse without liquor." On entering the Old Blue Posts tavern there, an English paper remarks, a strange sight meets the eye. Bottles there are in plenty, the spirit jars look as dropsical as ever, and the ban els are in their bacchanalian proportions significant of good cheer. But all are empty. Not a glass of beer is to be seen on the counter, and the bar is a presentment of dessicated desolation. The oasis is dried up, and if you want a drink you must go elsewhere. The reason for this strange state of affairs is that there is trouble between the licensed victualler and the brewers. For over four years Mr Arthur Thomas Hancock has held the license, and by his industry and tact he has improved the class oftrade into a good and respectable connection. Last November Mr Hancock- wishing to leave the publichouse line of business, treated with a local gentleman for the goodwill of the house. The brewers refused to permit payment for goodwill, and served Mr Hancock with a three months notice to quit. Mr Hancock retaliated' smartly and uniquely; He bought no more stock, and soon sold practically everything in the nature (of alcoholic drink on his premises. The house is duly kept open in accordance with the licensing laws, but Mr sHancock and his barman draw no liquor, and his customers have to go empty away. The affair is causing much amused excitement in the neighbourhood and the great question is what will happen in respect to the license, which is in Mr Hancock's name and possession. The annual meeting of the Motueka Licensing Committee will be "held at the Court House at noon on Tuesday next. A notice with reference to the train arfor the Prince of Wales' Birthday, on the Nelson section of the New Zealand Railways appears in our advertising columns. The cost of false alarms of fire to the city of Christchurch for eight years is over ,£I4OO. Pariiament will probably be summoned to meet on Thursday, June 25. The parliamentary party sue due back in Auckland on May 30. A fine stamp of a draught gelding was spld in Wyndbaro last week at the handsome price of -t?54. -For Inftuev-o and the Head take Woods' G*tal Peppermint Cure*ls 6d arid 2s fd.