LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13905, 2 December 1910, Page 5

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

CHRISTCHURCH. The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Licensing Committee- was held at noon yesterday, there being present Meissrs H. W. Bishop, S.M. (chairman), C. K. Salter, R. M. Speirs, Hy. Forwood. and the Rev. R. S. Gray. SubInspector McGrath appeared for the police, and Inspector Kiely was also present. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A LICENSEE. Allegations against tne license© of the Masonic Hotel, E. Power, contained in a police report (which iv__ not read or made puohc) were tne nrs. matters dealt witn. The licensee ap peared personally, and, in reply to A\e Chairman, stated that ho had nothing j whatever to say. I The Chairman said that tho police report seemed to be ono that called tor I action on tho part of tlie Committee, but the question in his mind was as to the right procedure. The allegations dealt not with the conduct ol tbe house, but rather with the personal fitness of the licensee to be in charge of a houso, and the Committee would, as- ! suming that the allegations were cor- ! rect, and were supported by evidence, very seriously consider whether or not he was a lit and proper person to hold tho license of tho Masonic Hotel. His (the Chairmans) opinion was that the allegations could oniy be dealt with at a meeting of tlie Committee at which licenses were renewed or granted, and the next such meeting would be in June. (To Sub-Inspector McGrath): "1 understand that you have objections to the general conduct of the house. Mr Power (somewhat excitedly). "He cannot have." The Chairman asked Mr Power to restrain himself. Sub-Inspector McGrath said that he had complaints of tho conduct of the house. _ ~•_.! Tho Chairman thought that, in tho circumstances, the police should formulate an objection to the renewal ot Mr Power's license. Sub-Inspector McGrath asked if evidenco could be taken at that sitting regarding tho allegations m tho report in caso the witnesses wero not available later. ~,._. Tho Chairman thought that, as a matter of lav, evidence given at that sittiiiir would not be applicable to, cr admissible in, proceedings under section 109 of tlie Act. .Sub-Inspector McGrath asked it Mr Power had received a copy of the report. , . Mr Power said that he had seen no report of anything whereto he could The Chairman said that he was not making public tho contents of the-re-port, and at the present stage the licensee could not be prejudiced by not having seen it. Mi* Power (with some excitement): "There is nothing against my house!" Tlio Chairman said that there were allegations made against him personally by Sergeant Miller, who, by virtue of his office, was an inspector of licensed premises. Mr Power: "I don't deny his authority as an inspector." The Chairman: "Do you deny the language attributed to, you." Mr Power: "I do deny any language he puts into my mouth." The excitable manner in which tho licensee spoke and conducted himself, brought forth tbe question from the Chaitman: "Is this the general appearance and conduct of this licensee?" Sub-Inspector McGrath was understood to say that it was not his usual state.. The Chairman: "He seems to have fortified-himself by the look of him!'" Mr Power: "I bet I haven't!" Sub-Inspector McGrath stated that he would make a formal objection to the renewal e*f the license next June. TRANSFERS GRANTED. Applications for transfers were granted as follows : —Terminus Hotel, from Wm. James to G. S. James (Mr Aloers): Tatter-all's Hotel, W. J. A. Clay to E. G. McCallum (Mr Malley); Imperial Hotel, H. J. Cotton to A. T. Beardsley (Mr Hunter) • Excelsior Hotel, Wm. Colclough to Mrs Rowse (Mr Hoban). Regarding the last-men-tioned application, the Chairman complimented Mrs Rowse on the great improvements in connection with the house, hut informed counsel that the granting of the application was not to be taken as a precedent, as the committee had set its face against granting licenses to women. This was all tho business.