LICENSES REFUSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 199, 8 June 1929, Page 5

LICENSES REFUSED

HOTELS IN ASHBURTON.

DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE.

NO POWER OF GRANTING.

SUPREME COURT TEST LIKELY.

(By Own Reporter.) LEESTON, This Day

"The Committee is not satisfied that by law we have the power to grant these licenses, and they are refused; but we would be glad if the applicants will bring the matter before the Supreme Court or the Full Court." In these words Mr H. A. Young, S.M., announced the decision of the Mid-Canterbury Licensing Committee at Leeston yesterday, when, at its first and annual meeting, it considered applications for licenses for the Somerset, Commercial, Grand Central, and Devane's Hotels in Ash burton, and Hororata Hotel.

After hearing evidence and counsel on behalf of applicants, the Committee retired at 2.58 o'clock to consider the auestion, and returned at 4.20 o'clock, when the decision was announced and the sitting concluded.

After the "Guardian." went to press yesterday the following matter was presented:— The Rev. G. D. Vercoe said he had nothing whatever against the applicants personally. Deyane's Hotel was in very close proximity to the Technical School, the Baptist Church and the Salvation Army Hall. The premises were not in a state of good repair. With regard to the Grand Central, it was further from the School, but was just across the road from the Church of Christ. To Mr C. S. Thomas: His objection to the granting of licenses was based on the fact that no opportunity had been given to the electors to vote on the question. The Church of Christ held about 150 people, and operated at hours when the hotel would, if licensed, be closed. He admitted that the hotel would not interfere with his church services. To Mr Wanklyn: The Baptist Church held services at similar hours to his church.

Mrs W. H. Robinson said all the buildings referred to near Devane's were built during the currency of NoLicense.

To Mr Thomas: She was opposed to liquor, politically. She had nothing against the applicants. She thought the granting of licenses would be detrimental to the morals of the young people of the town. Mr Thomas: You are against licenses, wherever they are situated? Witness: I am. She thought the licensing of hotels would interfere with the holding of church services. Mr Thomas: You object to licenses to any of these places'? Witness: Yes. The chairman asked if counsel would apply for a declarity of judgment. Counsel conferred and agreed that time did not allow of such in view of the fact that the annual meeting could be adjourned only for one month. Tho Committee then retired.

MANDAMUS TO BE SOUGHT.

TEST IN THE SUPREME COURT.

(Per Press Association.)

CHRISTOHURCH, This Day. Following on the refusal of the MidCanterbury Licensing Committee to grant licenses to hotels at Ashburton, it is definitely understood that the applicants will bring the question before the Supreme Court and test it by means of a mandamus.