HURUNUI LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18400, 5 June 1925, Page 14

HURUNUI LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Hurunui Licensing Committee was held at Amberley yesterday. Frc=en!—Messrs Wyvern Wilson, S.M. (chairman), J. M. South. A, J. Sunckell, J. Gibson, G. K. Holton, and A. Cameron. The following transfers -were granted: Pier Hotel, lvaikours, from P. J. Finn to C. Davidfon. ribject to proof °f advertisement to be submitted at the next meeting on the 'Joth inst.: Sheffield Hotel, from •7. Duncan to H. Henderson : Jollie's Pass Hotel, Hanmer Springs, from F. 11. Rich to C. V. Fredcrickscn.

The following applications for new publicans' licenses were granted:—T. K. Hughes, Commercial, Kaikoura; J. J, Coffey, Springfield; F. K. R'ch, Jollifi's Pass," Hanmer Springs; P. McPhee, Railway, Amberiey; T. Wilson, New Club, Kaikoura; H. Henderson, Sheffield; C. Davidson, Pier, Kaikoura; Mr? J. Garbutt, West Oxford.

New accommodation licenses were granted to Alfred Neale, Rotherhani, .and J. O'Connell, Hurunui. The following renewals were also granted: J. Collie, Waipara; W. Tisdall, Waiau; J. G. Wood, Ashley; W. S. Stewart, Sefton: T. R. Hampscm, Groat Northern, Waikari; J. J. Hendren, Crown, Amberley; G. R. Star and Garter, Waikari; J. Jackson, Adelphi, Kaikoura; A. R. Pool, Harewcod Arms, Oxford; M. L. Kennedy, Royal, Leithfield; R. Ridsdale. Glacier Hotel, Bealey. Owing to there being an adverse report by tho police of the conduct of the Culverden Hotol, the committee the application to the .'2sth inst. Tho report of the constable was read by the chairman, and was as fellows: T have to report that the Culverden Hotel was taken over by Diedrich about, 17 months ago. His wifc'3 father (James McCleary), mother, brother, and two sisters came to the place with him. For a time they appeared to conduct the hotel well. Later on I became auspicious about tho place on account of the way in which certain loafers v.cro tolerated at the hotel. For a countrv hotel it is undoubtedly the worst I have had dealings with for such characters. I threatened ono of them (after I had spoken to tho licensee, and he- declared ho would bo pleased to get rid of him), with a charge of vagrancy if.ho did not, go away and work. He was immediately given employment by tho licensee and kept about the place. Not long, afterwards I had a similar cxporioncc with another of these men, who also got a job,, and I noticed that if a man came in with a cheque there was always a party of the above-mentioned keoping him company. I have never known anyone complain about having nobody to drink with.

I then had a complaint from an employer of labour in the district Baying "jiis men were spending all their earnings and never appeared to go to any place but the hotel, and half the time they were unfit for work, as they would come home at all hours of the morning in a drunken condition, and bo practically useless next day. He said he had tried to reason with the publican and have him send the men away from tho hotel, but got no satisfaction. Ano hpr employer informed mo that his men used to leave homo late at night for the Culverden Hotel and next day bo unfit for work, and showed signs of having had a lot of liquor. I was also informed that a youth about 18 years of age' u;ed to spend, -.1.11 ,his earnings at Iho hotel after hours, and frequently brought liquor home with him and mado do secret of tho f«i that ho used to go there and have as much liquor as ho wanted. All the time I have been visiting the hotel, but could find nothing wrong, until one night I noticed one of tho "vagrant employoes" looking very alert Autside tho hotel. On several occasions I later watched the "sentry," and have scon him watching for two hours at a time. By this timo I knew why I always found everything, in order. During the past three months I have approached almost every resident of the district within a- fivemile radius of tho hotel, and some who live at a greater distance, and not on one sion nave I heard the Culverden Hoiel as it is at present spoken of favourably. One in particular whom I spoke to said: "Last football season was enough for me. It was impossible even to look in without being practically forced into a bet eithor way on the game. I like football or any other sport, but I like it clean,, and it was until this crowd came here." Several people whom I spoke to were disgusted at tho way tho hangers-on were avowed to "lineup" if they went in for a drink. I have also had bad reports concerning the accommodation both regarding the food, beds, and the impossibility to get sleep in the place through drunken men having full range of the houso until all ■ hours of the morning and intruding in all the bedrooms. It .is also said that a hoarder who docs not contribute his share in the bar is not required in tho house. Even amongst those who spend their earnings in liquor . some , have taken exception to tho manner in which the Culverden Hotel people become possessed of the cheques earned by them. I, spoke to one of these-men recently and he informed me that the last time he called there after leaving a job ■ they did their best to make him miss tho ■ bus to Christchurch, but he managed to get away. On February 23rd last I visited the hotel when tho "sentry" happened to be otherwise engaged at 9.50 p.m., and found a number of men on tho promises drinking. Four of them wero convicted of being found on the promises at tho Stipendiary Magistrate's Court here on April 30th last. There is a. similar charge pending against another of tho party,' also tho licensee and a maJi named Teague for supplying liquor after hours. In not one instance in this report have I given ■ tho views of any person who is opposed' to hotels. The hotel has been conducted on the "get-rich-quick" principle without concern for the puhlio, and the illicit trade is being, done in a systematic manner. These people are not in any way suited for the conducting of an hotel as it should bo 'conducted. I have made enquiries from the people vho stayed in tho house, and was informed that at times it'. wa& impossible to sleep owing to drunken men having the run ol the houso until all .hours of tho night'.and going to ths bedrooms. Mr Sargent, who appeared on behalf of the proprietor, B. J. Diedrich, formally objected to the evidence as hearsay, as- the constable would not name any single authority as contained in his report. "Is is' not a fact, constable, that. you anticipated becoming the proprietor of this hotel" yourself?" asked counsel. Constable Lamb: No. Mr Sargent: Well, I will have something further to say about this, as I have some evidence. _ After commenting" on the constable not having taken some proceedings as to men constantly being on the premises, Mr Sargent was informed by the Magistrate that the case would bo allowed to stand over to tho 25th inet., when evidence would have to bo submitted in person.