Page 5 Advertisements Column 3

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1915, Page 5

That a country hotelkeeper's life is not altogether one of peace and prof-it can lie judged from an incident related by a recent visitor to Motu (says the Gisborno Times). A proprietor mnst of necessity be a man of quick decision and firmness of character, especially in dealing with the wild element found near thf.. bush-felling industry. While liavdng. a glass of beer with mine host they noticed a quarrelsome individual gazing fixedly at a placid, well-dresesd Maori. "Why you look so hard, mate?" said the Native. ■ "I'm thinking your coat is very like one I lost," came the insinuating reply. A lightning upper-cut by the indignant Maori and the two clinched. Without a moment's hesitation mine host shot into the fray. A solid butt of Ms shoulder sent the native in one direction,, and o'utohing the other by the neck with one hand and with the other grabbing the man's pants nt the part that's tightest when one gathers chips, he bowled .tliu astonished bushman out into the night. The proprietor afterwards explained that if not taken in hand right at the start, sncli scenes invariably ended in a free fight all round.. The traveller who haul thoroughly enjoyed the diversion, remarked that his pleasure was tinged with sadness whorrtie found that someone had drunk his-beer while the excitement was on.