CORRESPONDENCE. HOTEL INSPECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 178, 26 January 1912, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

HOTEL INSPECTION.

To the Editor. Sir, —Can you kindly inform me whether there is any system of supervision by the Licensing Bench of the accommodation provided by hotel-keepers for the travelling public, more especially in country districts? We hear a good deal nowadays about the improved conditions of hotels consequent upon the enhanced value of the licenses, brought about by local option, but my experience does not tend in this direction. Happening fo travel up the coast a few days ago, I had occasion to stay for lunch at one of the hotels en route. I usually enjoy a fairly good appetite andi am not over squeamish, but the appointments of the dinner table and the character of the meal were enough to turn the stomach of a dog. The food was so .badly cooked as to be almost uneatable, a decoction called tea being absolutely undrinkable. Add to this a table cloth and table cutlery, disgustingly filthy, and you have a faint idea of the fare provided for the refreshment of the travelling public. The only redeeming feature of the meal was the flowers, ol which there was a profusion on the table, but table decorations do not compensate for filthy surroundings. The. place was over-run with Maoris; the sole ambition of the licensee being, apparently, to cater for the bar trade. Such people and such houses are an excellent argument in favor of National Prohibition, but are not appreciated by,, the travelling public. I commend the above to the notice of the Licensing Bench concerned and also the police, if the latter are not too apathetic to investigate and' report.—l am, etc., ■ A TRAVELLER.