CITY NORTH LICENSING COURT.-This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 122, 1 June 1885, Page 3

CITY NORTH LICENSING COURT.-This Day.

(Ueforo F. G. Ewinprton (Chairman), R. Xeal, It. w, (j yen, G. Winstono, and Joshua Robinsjii, Licensing Commissioners.)

Tin: Court was opened at noon, the room being protty well filled, and tho bar being strongly represented. Superintendent Thomson represented tho polico, and Mr Cottor appeared in all caso _ for the Liconsed Yictuallors' Association. Albion Hotel.—Transfor from K. Miller to John Pierce (Mr S. Jackson, jun., in support) : Transfer made permanent. Albert Hotel. — Transfor from B. S. Kobeit- to MrsO'MeaKher(Mr S. Hesketh in support): Transfer mado permanent. Bricklayers' Arms.—Transfer f.om Wm Wright to Mrs Zieplcr (Mr Hesketh in support) : Transfer mado pormanent Ah- Ewington remarked that the granting of tho transfer did not necessarily involve tho renownl of tho license. Before tho HrensiS were renowed the Bench would have to bo assured of the good character of the applicants. RENEWALS. Shamrock Hotel, Johanna O'Sullivan,— Supt. Thomson stated that a substantial and handsome now house had been erectod since last year, and remarkably well furnished. Thcro was absolutely nothing against tho character of tho licensee, while her lato husband (Mr Maurice O'Sullivan) had been well known and respected as a lnjtelkoqper. Tho Chairman stated that tho Committee had received two memorials (ono of which was signod by 200 porsons) against the renewal of this license and ono in favour of it Thoy were, however, informal, as not being in accordance with tho sSth section of tho Act. In answer to tho Bench Mr S. Heakoth (who appeared for tho lessee) stated tho hotel was supplied with a tiro escape, and Mr Scccombe thon explained that it consisted of two wire ropes at tho northern end of the building. Tho Chairman stated that tho Bench had docided that in future all hotola in this district should bo confined to ono bar, one side-window, and two doors to tho bar—one for the customers loading to the street, and tho other for tho licensee, loading into the other parts of tho house. This was necessary, as a policeman recently had been found behind one of the bars. I After a protest from Mr Cotter, tho side- j window was defined to be tbo window partitioning off tho bar from tho rest of the house. The bar of tho Imperial was regarded by the Bonch as a model bar. The license of the Shamrock was then renewed, subject to Superintendent Thomson's approval of the fire escape. Wharf Hotel, Mary Cole.-Supt. Thomson pointed out that the police report complained of the papering of tho rooms, and recommended tho renovation of tho hotel and tho provision of a tire escape. All this bad since been done. A conviction for Sunday trading was obtained in August last. Mr Cottor explained that the licensee had had nothing to do with this infraction of the Act, and that she had readily admitted it without employing a solicitor. Tho Chairman considered than when a publican sold liquor on Sunday it was o fair inference that he was not able to make a living without soiling on Sunday, and consequently the house was not needed. Tbo Bench had decided to adjourn the consideration of tho caso till Wednesday week, tho 10th Juno, at 10 o'clock. Empire Hotel, Bridget McDormott.— Supt. Thomson stated that tho polico report, was favourable, but ono conviction stood recorded against tho liceneoo. It was not a glaring case, however, and the defendant saved trouble by pleading guilty. Mr S. Hesketh supported tho application for renewal, and argued that the sale of a pint of beer, which led to tho conviction, was an act of pure forgotfulness. It was the first conviction during a period of IS or 20 years. Mr Cotter (who appeared forMr McGarry, trustee under the late P. McDermott's will), also urged tho renewal of the licenso, and in doing ao mentioned that Mrs McDermott had only a life intorcst in tho hotel.

Tho Chairman said that tho Bench wero determined to put down Sunday trading in tho intoro.sts of law-abiding publicans, but as Mrs McDermott was a widow, thoy wished to give her case careful consideration, and therefore it would bo also ad> journcd till the 10th in.st. Cosmopolitan Hotel, H. C. Richmond.— Tho Chairman stated that the Bench took objopt-On to in. renewal oi tho license of this houao under tho sth sub-sectum of section 8! of the Act, viz., that the hotel was not required. Supt. Thomson stated that one room had been recently papered and better beds sup> plied, so that tho objections raised in tne police report in this respect had been met. The Chairman said that the Bench wore fully sensible of the gravity of ,thoir responsibility, and thoy took upon themselves in refusing any license, that in the faco of the police report, and of what thoy personally know, thoy did not feel inclined to grant the renewal of this license. Mr Hesketh applied for an adjournment of the case. . After some further ducussion between Bench and Bar, the Chairman stated that the Bench were ao resolved in mind by what they had seen at the hotel, substantiated as these conclusions were by the police report, that even if a dozen adjournments were obtained, the license would not be granted. They had found four bods for public use in this hotel, and the police reported two of them to bo unfit for use, and the Bench therefore had determined that such a cla^s of hotel was not required in the neighbourhood. They would receivepetitionsin favour of the hotel, but they would at.acb greater weight to the eworn evidence cf respectable people, either for or against, Tho application was then adjourned till tho 10th inst. ,„,_,« Governor Browne Ho Lol—David Cunningham.—The Bench decided to renew the license on the clear understanding that as tho building was delapidated the 1.-censo would not be renowed next year unless it had been replaced by a better structure. Mr Cotter wished some consideration piven to tho fact that no arrangements could well be made for erecting a now building until the levels of the steot had been settled. He also read a repcrt from Mr Wado stating that to house was in good repair-License renewe* Clanricarde Hotel.—Annie Lynch-Tbe Chairman said that the Bench in this case, as in that of the Cosmopolitan, held that the hotel was not needed, and was not up to tho required standard.