LICENSING COMMITTEES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9594, 8 December 1896, Page 5

LICENSING COMMITTEES.

CHRISTCHUROH,

The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Licensing Cornmitleo was held at noon yesterday at the Magistrate's Court House. Present—Messrs H. W. Bishop (Chairman), F. Trent, T. Gapes,' J. C. Maddison, E. Smith, I). McLennuii, and W. Langdowji. The Chairman stated that the police report appeared to be satisfactory on all the houses except the Occidental, against tho licensee of which a conviction was entered up. There was also a note as regarded another hotel that the police had reason to believe that gambling was carried on in that hotel. In answer to the Chairman, Inspeotor Broham said they had no proof, but they made the complaint for what it woe worth. Permits until the annual mooting were granted as under:—Zetland Arms, Mrs Walker (Mr Lcughrey for applicant); Clarendon Hotel, Mrs Allen (Mr Cassidy for applicant). Mr D. MoLennan wrote asking the following questions:—(l) Does the accommodation of the licensed hotels meet the requirements of an influx of visitors, suoh as Christchurch generally has during the A: and P. Association and the race times? also, if any further reduction of licenses ia demanded by the result of the next election would the public accommodation for visitors be sufficient at suoh times as here referred to ? (2.) What has been done in the way of inspection and analysis of spirits, beer, &c., since.the appointment of the new Inspector for the Christchurch Licensing District, and was any effort made to see that the drink sold during race week, &c, in November was of good quality ? Inspector Broham said ho had obtained information to answer the questions. Aβ regarded tho accommodation, it amounted to 850 rooms, and it was estimated that there was an influx of between 5000 and 6000 during the time mentioned. The Chairman—Where do they all go? Mr Broham said they went where they could and got shakedowns where nothing better was to be had, and if the hotel.accommodation was four times as much it would nob meet requirements at such a time. Ho had had a return obtained of the liquor analysed eince Ist Jnly, and it was as under samples beer, 32 do whiskey, 13 brandy, 3 rum and; 2of port wine. All were found to be free from alteration. The questions and answers were inoluded in the minutes of the Committee/ and the proceedings terminated. .