Drinks Anyone?

One of the advantages of imbibbing is that it keeps the other fellow's taxes down.

Imagine — about 50 per cent of the price of each glass of beer goes to the dear old Treasury as a "direct" contribution to the country's revenue; a minimum of 4/3 in the £1 of the bartender's taxable income is wafted away to the same place, while the brewery, or whoever happens to own it, pays 50 per cent of its trading profit in taxes. And don't forget the shareholder — he pays up to 7- in the £1 on any dividends he receives from your efforts. Wellington provides well over 35 golden opportunities where you can assist in this process, although it is not recommended if you are less than 21 years —in fact it is illegal for you to increase the tax revenues by drinking in an hotel!

While in this writer's humble opinion, the majority of the brews cannot be compared with some of the full-bodied overs varieties, there are many fine hostelries whore the student can add his contribution to the mixture of beer, spirits, cigarette ash ground-in pic crusts, potato and other vegetables, which are so readily absorbed by the carpets which are being laid to make the bars appear more attractive and to support the New Zealand carpet manufacturers — the carpets last about four or five years before falling to pieces, and it isn't very pleasant pulling them up.

Hotels

This is all part of a general move to keep the drinker happy. Hence the provision — at a small chat — of rather pleasant meals. The student is placed in the position of having a refill. many places to eat, at a reasonable cost, and even on Saturdays. And if you do not want to drink your favourite alcoholic beverage, there is a jug of iced water, provided primarily for the whisky-drinker, but readily available to the dedicated student who wants to do his best in examinations or take-in important lectures.

The majority of students seem to frequent only a limited number of the available hotels — and these are usually within walking distance of the University. A pity, as there are a number of very pleasant Bars in other parts of the City. Consequently, the suggestions which follow miss out a largo number of establishments which also provide good service, food and Cool beer.

St. George: One of the pubs on the Saturday night party circuit. A choice in menu.

Royal Oak: The Bistro provides a varied menu — and it is one of the few Bars where you can take your 21-year-old girl friend.

Grand: A varied menu — but you normally have to Stand to eat.

Barretts: One main dish, with toasted sandwiches and other bread meals. No seating, though.

Midland: The "Legal" hotel. A choice in menu, but again no seating. On the Saturday party circuit, too, what's more.

De Bretts: One main dish, with bread rolls etc., and "Waitemata every time!"

But as in cocktail drinking, experiment… there are other hotels — the Pier Gresham, Duke, Brittania, Princess, Tramway… and so many, many others.

P.S. Strike a blow for hygiene — insist on a clean glass Everytime you get.