HOTEL LICENCE TRANSFER

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 14

HOTEL LICENCE TRANSFER

COMMISSION HEARS OBJECTIONS

SITTING AT WAIMATE (From Our Own Reporter)

WAIMATE, April 19. Decision was again reserved when, sitting in the Waimate Courthouse today, the Licensing Control Commission heard an appeal by Bernice E. Shackleton, of Waimate, against the decision of the Waimate Licensing Committee given at Waimate on December 7, 1954, dismissing the objections of the appellant and 63 others to the removal of the licence in respect of premises situated at Queen street, Waimate, known as the Criterion Hotel, to other premises at the co £P er Mill road and Queen street. The commission comprised Mr A. M. Goulding (chairman) and Mr L. C. Nisbet. 1 Mr A. I. Cotterill appeared for the applicants, Mr R. S. Frapwell for the appellant .and Mr N. L. Knell held a watching brief on behalf of the Provincial Council of the Licensed Trade. Mr D. M. Webster produced notes of the evidence of the hearing, last year, including a report by Sergeant Simpson, and also minutes of the licensing committee meetings, dealing with the matter. He also produced the memorials of the objectors. Mr Frapwell asked that an end be put to the uncertainty that existed, either by dismissing or approving the appeal. “This objection,” he said, “has been grounded on two bases. The objectors rely on the same grounds as put before the committee—that the neighbourhood would be disturbed if the licence was transferred; that the licence was not required in the locality” There were no objection to there being four licences in Waimate, no objection to drinking, but there was objection to the siting of the hotel in this locality, said Mr Frapwell. For the. applicants Mr Cotterill submitted that the proposed new hotel was definitely in the same neighbourhood as the existing hotel. The old hotel was also in the residential area and/ all objectors were now within a quarter of a mile of the present hotel, to which there had been no objection.

When plans were prepared to build a new hotel on the site of the old hotel in 1953 the cost was £21,500. The plan was to make full use of the facilities and the people could have drinks or tea in the gardens. The hotel envisaged would be something the area could be proud of. . It was estimated £13.500 would be required to carry out the improvements to the premises, said Mr Cotterill.