HOTEL LICENSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 212, 5 September 1903, Page 4

HOTEL LICENSES.

A PECULIAR CASE.

(By Telegraph.—Press sj

INVERCARGILL, this day.

The Invercargill Licensing Corninittty yesterday afternoon- by a majority pro, visionally granted a license for tin White Swan Hotel, which was closed m, der the reduction vote, to Mrs Bond whose present hotel, the Crescent, hag been acquired for offices. It was im, possible to grant a transfer, because, &}. though practically in the same street the two hotels were a few yards over a quarter of a mile apart. The method of procedure was that Mr Blaekham, exlicensee of the White Swan Hotel, ap. plied for a license for the Crescent, an, Mrs Bond apjplied for a transfer of Blackham's license for the Crescent to the White Swan Hotel. In announcing the decision of the Bench, Mr McCarthy, S.M. (chairman) said that, thro__h causes over which Mrs Bond had no control, she had been compelled to relinj quish possession of her premises. The committee had determined that if Mrs Bond abandoned the license which she held, they would grant the application of Mr Blackham in respect of the Whit. Swan Hotel, subject to certain conditions, and that, subject to these being carried out, and Mrs Bond abandoning the license, the application will bo granted. In the meantime the committee adjourned till the 25th inst. Some doubts are expresed as to the legality of the committee's action.