PUBLIC HOTELS AND HEALTH

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26180, 2 August 1950, Page 6

PUBLIC HOTELS AND HEALTH

REPORT BY LICENSING COMMISSION

IMPROVEMENT SOUGHT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 1. Health and sanitation in public hotels, both as to drinking facilities and . the provision of accommodation, are , being discussed by the Licensing ConI trol Commission with the Health De- ! partment. In its first annual report, i tabled in the House of Representatives [ to-day, the commission says that the I aim is to bring down suitable regulaj tions under the Health Act ’ which I should remedy a number of the prei sent and so reduce to the very minimum any danger to public health, i The commission says that in the ’ standards laid down for new hotels it I is expected that a considerable im- | provement will be m2de, but that this I problem is such an important one that the commission is anxious to see that necessary improvements are carried 1 out in all hotels at the earliest posi sible opportunity. Among the matters ! to which particular attention is being j given are glass-washing and satisfac- | tory supplies of properly-cleaned : glasses in all bars and lounges. i In a number of hotels already re- ‘ viewed by the commission the arrangements for the proper washing of ■ glasses have been far from satisfsc- ; tory. Associated with this problem, it I says, is the undesirable practice of re- | filling glasses. In crowdeq bars it is j almost impossible to ensure that a cusi tomer receives back his own glass. I The commission hgs noticed a growing tendency in some hotels for single bedrooms to be converted into twin bedrooms. This reduces both the standard of comfort and air space a person below a minimum which the commjs- ! sion considers advisable in licensed hotels. Referring to a need for better accommodation and services in’ bars, the commission says it is satisfied by evidence given at its public inquiries that there is serious overcrowding in bars at rush hours in practically all urban hotels. The problem is difficult, and the' existing hours of sale authorised ! by law accentuate the difficulty. Eventually additional bar accommodation ;in new premises authorised by the I commission will bring about some im- ! provement. I The commission says that much I more than that, however, is necessary.

The enlargement and redesigning of many existing bars which are far too small will help greatly. It is realised .that such alterations will involve considerable structural work, including the redesigning of hotel?' themselves in some cgses. Because ‘of this and the present restrictions, improvement’s can be brought aljoyt l?y degrees.