GONE DRY.

Auckland Star, Issue 291, 9 December 1925, Page 9

GONE DRY.

THE THAMES HOTEL CONTRACTORS WANTED PREMISES. LICENSE WILL PROBABLY LAPSE. When the Thames Hotel was taken over by the contractors some time ago for demolition bo that a fine block of buildings might be built on this valuable corner site, the hotel did not actually cease business, for a temporary Dar was erected right on the corner of Queen Street and Customs Street. In this one bar beer was still drawn from cellar cool UHtil yesterday. Business stopped at six o'clock laet night. Early this morning a start was made to demolish the temporary bar. By mid-day everything that goes to make up a. hotel bar was removed, and all that remains now are jthe four walls. Many who watched this process of demolition to-day wondered why the hotel had been closed, as the Licensing Committee on Friday last, when it refused to grant Mr. Gleeson's application for removal of the license, adjourned ihe application for a renewal of the license until December 16. The effect of thie decision in reference to the removal of the license, will no doubt, result in the license lapsing, as the police opposed an adjournment or continuance of the licence. Now there is no temporary bar, nothing on the premises in respect of which a license could take effect. For this reason also it would appear that the license has lapsed. In regard to lapsed licenses the law provides that any vacancies which might arise may be filled up by the Licensing Committee at its annual meeting in June. This would have the effect if the Thames Hotel license lapses, of enabling application to be made in respect to any suitable premises which comply with the law and which are situated within half a mile of the present Thames Hotel site. The licensee of the Thames Hotel has really keen remaining in the temporary bar so long at the pleasure of the contractors of the new building, the Fletcher Construction Company. However, the Dilwerth Trust Board, owners of the property, have placed the responsibility for the completion of the new -building within a certain time—about two years— on the contractors. The contractors, therefore, car not take any further risk of delay in completion; they were compelled to close the temporary bar yesterday, so that the work of demolition might be completed.