SO HUNGRY

NZ Truth, Issue 1143, 27 October 1927, Page 7

SO HUNGRY

He Couldn't Resist Hot Dogs (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.) James Kelley felt a trifle "peckish," so when he looked m at the bar of an Auckland hotel the other afternoon he kept his eye open for the counter-lunch. J7OR the edification of the unsophisticated, let it be explained that counter-lunches often comprise an array of tasty dishes — sardines on toast, roast potatoes, fish, brawn, saveloys, toasted cheese and numerous other tempting morsels — collected on the big tray when the white-coated porter, for all the world resembling a butler at a banquet, brings it into the bar during the late afternoon. More humble are the offerings of some hotels, but even the sight of a plate of cheese and biscuits excites the palate of an appetite already whetted by the warmth of a couple of "handles." It was, either the savory aroma of baked potatoes or just the appealing presence of a say. that tickled James' fancy As the lunch was placed on the bar table, he made a grab for a double handful with which to appease his appetite. But with all their goodness, licensees do not intend that these "samples" from the kitchen should provide free meals for anyone. Just a "bite" to hold body and soul together until the fatigued and wornout individual can drag himself home to his wife's more substantial spread. Besides, how can all patrons be catered for if one man comes along holding out both hands? Kelley's action was resented by a barman and this started the trouble which brought James before Magistrate Cutten the following mornins:. Besides a charge of drunkenness, Kelley had to answer for some damage he had done. The barman told the court all about it. After witness had reproached him for his seeming greed, Kelley breasted up to the bar for a drink. On being refused, he shied a glass at the barman, who, although of portly carriage, managed to dodge the missile. The glass finished its flight by coming into contact with two bottles of spirits. James remorsefully pleaded guilty to being drunk and to the other charge expressed much sorrow, but he did not remember anything that had happened to bring him where he stood. On inquiry, the S.M. was told that Kelley was a laborer and had been out of work for a month. "If he is out of work he should find something better to do with his money than spend it on drink," remarked Senior- Sergeant McCarthy m informing the bench that accused had been the subject of attention at the Wairoa court on more than one occasion. Kelley's eye blinked as he heard the choice offered to him — a £2 fine, witnesses' expenses £ 1 and payment for damage £1/7/- or seven days' imprisonment.