IDEAL PUBLIC HOUSE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9177, 22 June 1908, Page 7

IDEAL PUBLIC HOUSE.

ABOLITION OF BAR AS A STEP TOWARDS TEMPERANCE. London, April 38. At the headquarters of the Instiute of Hygiene, 34, Devonshire street, Harley street, W., a model public-house has been constructed and inside it yesterday the members assembled while Sir Wililam Bennett standing besides the bar declared it open for inspection until May 9th. The institute’s idea of the publichouse is at variance with the place as it. exists to-day and that erected at their head-quarters is what they consider to be an ideal house. It is modelled on the lines of the Continental cafe. Instead of ordering the refreshments at the bar, the institute suggests that the customers should sit at small marble topped tables and have their liquor brought to them by attendants, and that they should be supplied with illustrated papers chess draughts and dominoes. Music should be supplied either from a gramophone or an electric piano. A further feature of the ideal public-house is a large table near thee entre of the room upon which cakes, biscuits and more substantial articles of food are displayed. In Sir William Beunet’s opinion temperance does not ile in the abotlition of public-houses but in improving their environment. “Three improvements” he said “are essential” and these are : Abolition of the drink-ing bar. Provision of food as well as drink. Eestablishment of rational amusements such as games and music.