PROPOSED HOTEL AT HORNBY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28251, 12 April 1957, Page 7

PROPOSED HOTEL AT HORNBY

Residents Reject Poll Move

About 60 residents of Hornby decided at a meeting last evening that a poll was not required to decide whether the holder of a licence recently granted by the Licensing Control Commission should be permitted to establish a hotel in the township. The meeting was called by the Paparua County Council after councillors had expressed concern at a meeting last Friday that residents had not been consulted when the granting of a licence was considered.

At the council meeting two councillors had referred to “string pulling” being used to obtain the licence, and these comments, which were reported in “The Press.” were frequently referred to by residents at last evening’s meeting.

Those present defeated by 43 votes to 36 a suggested resolution. “That this meeting of residents’ of Hornby is of the opinion that a hotel is not required in the meantime in Hornby, and recommends that the council make a request to the Licensing Control Commission for a poll to be taken on the proposal.” Call for Decision

The meeting was under the chairmanship of the chairman of the Paparua County Council (Mr C. A. Campion), who urged those present to make a clear-cut decision, as there was no use in being half-hearted about it. Since a previous vote in favour of a trust hotel, the Licensing Control Commission had decided that it would be good for the community to a hotel in Hornby, a resident said. ‘‘lf we vote for a poll, is the commission going to have any say in whether we have a trust hotel or a private one?”

Financial Aspect The County Clerk (Mr A. Kelly) said that the previous poll had indicated that there was a good case for a trust hotel, but the Government decided that the establishment of a. local licensing trust was a finehci&l impossibility. Most of The money would have to be found locally.

Mr Cyril Loach, secretary of the Hornby Residents’ Association, raid that he had attended the hearing of the commission, and that evidence had been given by the Regional Planning Officer 'Miss Nancy Northcroft) of the growth of Christchurch and Hornby in particular. Plans showed that hotel facilities were two miles from Hornby. The commission was “exercised” at the council’s support for the charter and its opposition to a hotel licence Asked by the chairman of the commission if the residents had been consulted, Mr Loach had produced the questionnaire compiled for the poll. He had told the chairman that he did not know the present opinion of the residents. and he thought residents would approve the granting of a licence for a hotel with bedroom accommodation. meal facilities, and beer garden. Size and Growth

“The size of the district and the potential growth warrants a hotel.” said Mr Loach. “The commission will not be here for another five years, so we would have to w’ait for a long time for a hotel. Most people appeared to be rather apathetic about it. though, he added.

A resident said that the time tn complain was at the commission hearing. Hie council did not «ee fit to proceed with the proposal for a trust hotel, so it should go ahead with a private hotel.