PENINSULA LICENSING COMMITTEE.

The annual meoting of the Peninsula Licensing Committee was held at the Anderson's Bay schoolhouae on Saturday, and attended by Mobbm A. Nichol (chairman), It. Lee, A. H'Kay, and T. Hoberfcson. Before the business of the meeting |commenced a discussion took place as to who was clerk to the committee. It appeared that Mr Duthie had acted in that capacity for the last seven years, but recently Mr 0. J. Hodge was appointed on the recommendation of the Peninsula Koad Board. The appointment of ITr liodgoliad been gazetted, but Mr Duthie had received uo official notice that his services ;had been dispensed with. Mr Hodge eaid that being the c&ee perhaps Hr Duthie had better act until he did get notice. Tho Jquestion. subsequently arose as to how Mr Hodge came to be appointed, and Mr Duthie observed that ho did not think it was at Mr Hodge's solicitation. The latter, however, intimated that he did not wish it to go forth to the public that it was not at his solicitation. Mr Duthie thereupon remarked that Mr Hodge bad always been his frienri.

but from hlo (Mr Hodge's) own Btatement he could not now look uponhim as tha gentleman he hitherto believed him to be. MrDutbie also mentioned that ho had not been treated honestly and fairly by the Government. Although he had acted as clerk to the oommittee for seven years they now appointed someone else, without ever giving him notice that his services would not be further required. .This ho looked upon aa a barbarous act. Mr Lee, In referring to Mr Hodge, also condemned that gentleman in consequenoe of the admission that he had made. Mr Hodge, however, pointed out that his meaning had evidently been misunderstood j he had not applied for the position of clerk. Mr Duthie ,and Mr Lee nevertheless were of opinion that he had previously practically admitted that he had. The question of who should net as clerk was eventually settled by the committee expressing au opinion ithat as Mr Hodge had been gazetted as clerk they had no alternative but to allow him to serve in that oapacity. Mr Duthie consequently retired from his position, the committee- having previously expressed their liiuh appreciation of his services in the paßt. nnd their regret at severing their connection with him. The police report, which was read, 6tated that the licensed houses in the district were fairly well conducted. Thomas Smlthson applied for a renewal of a publioan's license for the Shiel Hill Hotel, which was granted. Mr DonaldßOn applied for a renewal of an accommodation license for the Highcliff Hotel. Mr Lac Bald he did not think it was the opinion of the committee that they should grant any more accommodation licenses In the districtMr Donaldson asked if the committee would adjourn consideration of the matter in order that he might confer with the landlord as to applying for a new license The committee agreed to adjourn the application for three weeks.

Constable Hartnett stated that during tho past five years there had been only two cases of drunkenness in the district. A vote of thanks was accorded to the constable for the able manner In which he had discharged hlo I duties during the year, and to the chairman for efficiently presiding at the committee's meetings, She meeting then terminated,