Permission Refused For “Partial” Hotel Closing

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28922, 16 June 1959, Page 16

Permission Refused For “Partial” Hotel Closing

(New Zealana Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 15.

The New Zealand Licensing Control Commission, in a reserved decision at Wellington, declined an application by the licensee of the Kawerau Hotel to close the accommodation and meal services at the hotel until November 30, 1959. . The commission comprised Mr A. M. Goulding, chairman, MajorGeneral Sir William Gentry and Mr F. P. Kelly. Evidence given at the hearing held at Rotorua on May 13, 1959,

stated that the hotel opened on August 15, 1955, but it was not until June, 1955, that guest accommodation was completed. The licensee applied to the commission to issue a certificate to authorise him to eith'er:— "Partially suspend his business as licensee”; thereby enabling him to continue to sell liquor, and at the same time making it a condition that he should continue to operate the rest of the premises so that he would be able to meet emergency situations providing a bed and meal for travellers at his discretion. Or to; “Partially close’* his licensed premises by closing the accommodation and meal services completely, but allowing the bar and liquor services to continue. The commission did not think it had the power to issue a certificate for any partial suspension or closing of the business. The commission’s report on its decision stated that the application was really based on a submission on behalf of the owners of the hotel—that since the hotel had started to operate it had shown a loss of £21,198 (including depreciation of £20,696) up to March 31, 1958. There was no other accommodation for the general public in Kawerau and the demand for accommodation was constant throughout the year. The Tasman Pulp and Paper Company, Ltd., proposed to close a large hostel in the area.

The town commissioner of the Kawerau Borough Council (Mr F. Prideaux), Auckland Automobile Association and the Police Department representatives were of the opinion that accommodation at the hotel was required. The commission recognised that there has been a very serious decline in returns from the sale of liquor, but the order for increased retail prices on the sale ot beer and the increased allocation for the import of spirits and wines should lead to better profits. There had been criticism of the lack of amenities and the service procurable at the hotel. The commission believed these matters may have contributed considerably to the decline in overall takings.