LIQUOR CHARTER AT WOOLSTON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 16

LIQUOR CHARTER AT WOOLSTON

Grant To Working Men’s Club NEW BUILDING TO OPEN ON SATURDAY (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 18. A charter for the sale of liquor for consumption on the premises will be in the hands of the executive of the Woolston Working Men’s Club in time for the opening of the club’s new building on Saturday. An assurance to that effect was given today by Mr A. M. Goulding, chairman of the Licensing Control Commission, after hearing submissions and evidence in support of the club’s application for a charter. “I think it only right that the commission should issue a charter to this club after all it has done,” said Mr Goulding. “It must be understood that the liquor is for consumption on the premises. It is necessary also to define the area to be regarded as licensed.”

With Mr Goulding as members of the commission were Major-General W. G. Gentry and Mr F. P. Kelly. Mr R. A. Yeung appeared for the club, Sub-Inspector C. J. Dwyer for the police, and Mr R. G. Collins for the National Council of the Licensed Trade.

Outlining the history of the club’s project, Mr Young said that about March, 1952, several residents in the Woolston district decided on the need for a social club, as they were dissatisfied with conditions then existing. In the middle of 1953 a committee was formed to prepare concrete proposals. In November, 1953, the club was incorporated, and bought an acre and a half in Hargood street, said Mr Young. But before proceeding with a building, the executive obtained expert advice on the site. Experts agreed it was unstable. In August. 1954. the committee bought adjoining ground for £4OOO, giving it a site totalling 18 acres. The matter had come before the Licensing Commission in April, 1955. said Mr Young. As a result of that hearing, the club had gone ahead with plans, and had just completed a building valued at £22,741, with fixtures valued at £lOOO. To date, the club had paid out £21.000 for the land, building, and furniture, said Mr Young. Almost all this had come from fees, subscriptions, and debentures paid for by club members. The membership had increased from 928 to a fixed total of 1500, with a waiting list of several hundred. Voluntary Labour Apart from taxing themselves to achieve their goal, club members had formed themselves into working parties, which had saved about £4OOO by their work on power reticulation, laying out a drive, and other work in the grounds, said Mr Young. He explained that the inner area of Woolston was a district in which working people lived. It had a population of about 8000, and about 50 factories were in the area. But greater Woolston had more than 20,009 residents, and there were few facilities for these people. “One of the finest buildings in Christchurch has been erected in very short time.” Mr Young said. “It has been finished within the last few days. The intention is to put in a bowling green, tennis courts, and playinc fields.” The president of the club, James Richard Whitford, produced plans and photographs showing the interior layout of the building. He said that, since April, 1955. the district had gone ahead. In Haywood street, 30 houses had been built, and two more factories had moved into the area. Mr Whitford said that the nearest hotel was half a mile away. There were two others two miles away. Apart from some extension of bar space, little had been done by the licensed trade to cater for the expanding population. The chairman: Apart frop the

building, have you carried out any development in the grounds? Mr Whitford: At the moment, no. We have had too much to do in the building itself. With what type of fence will you define the licensed area? —We shall have expert advice. My idea would be concrete posts, rails, and palings. We shall have advice on a parking area from Mr G. P. Kellar, Traffic Sunerintendent in Christchurch. You wish to have the building and parking area included in the licensed area—Yes. Sporting Activities “What we are concerned about.” said the chairman, “are cases in which clubs have tried to include bowling greens and other property in the licensed area.” “As president, I think I can say that any sporting activities will be regarded as being outside the chartered area.” said Mr Whitford. The club’s secretary - treasurer, George Francis Garrick, produced a statement on income and expenditure. He said the Health Department and the police had inspected the premises 10 days ago. Mr Collins said he had no submissions to make. The licensed trade was very concerned at the growth of club charters and the impact on licensed hotels. The National Council of the Licensed Trade was looking into this matter. Sub-Inspector Dwyer said the Police Department had no objections to the application. “These people have done a great deal of work and have complied with all requests. They seem admirable people to run such a club,” said the chairman.