THE "DRY" HOTELS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 549, 2 July 1909, Page 7

THE "DRY" HOTELS.

WHAT WILL THEY DO NOW? I 1 THE LICENSEES INTERVIEWED \ A funereal air overhung four hotels m Wellington South yesterday, when a representative of The DoiiiMON went on a round lof inquiry to try and ascertain what the futuie hacl in store tor the houses no longer licensed Most of tho licensees have borno tho closing philosophically, and are doing the only thing open to tbom In tho circumstances, taking advantage of the provisions in tho Licensing Art, which, in the event of prohibition, gives them tho opportunity of,handing in thou' leases on giving fourteen daye' notico As\ to what is to hecomo of tho houses, that is not a matter for them They don t know what tho "houses will bo turned into or what oan bo done with thorn. Their cup has been filled to overflowing without this .additional trouble, which the ownora will havo to face Mr. J. Lutii, licensee of tho Park Hotel, waxed eloquent when the reporter comraoneed to mention prohibition, and a discussion on the ethics o! prohibition was inevitable. It was rumoured (said Mr Lute) that bis house would be taken up by a number of residents who would run. the lock,er svstem, and get a license for tho billiard table , ;, but he would have none of this, as he had other plans which would tako him away from Newtown. He was going to Gorniany, bo added jocularly, to interview the Emperor, and urge him to build moio Dreadnoughts with which to "settle the ministers " i"A aalo of furniture . on July 2" was tho notico which mot the eje on approaching tho Grosveiior Hotol Mr Altkon had nothing to say. He had only taken over tho house after prohibition had been carnodj so ho ltnew exactly how he stood Mr, Houldswntfth, of the Newtown Hotel, firmly, but politely, intimated that ho had nothing to say The hotol was closod, and ho was getting tho remainder of his stock together Mr. Doolv, of the Star and Garter Hotel, intimate tnat ho intended to retain possession, of bis house for a couple of weeks Tho houso belouged to Mr Ja<ob Joseph, and waa leased by Messrs. Staples and Co. 'He did not think tho owner o? tho houso could decide what was going to be done until about December oi Januaiy next Mrs Wilkinson, of tho Island Bay Hotel, is handing in her leaso forthwith Most of tho houses will, it is stated, be utihsed'as boarding-houses if possible, but, so far, arrangements are not in a very forward state The Railway Hotel, Johnsonvillo, it has boon decidoa, is to be transformed into a boarding-houso, shop, 'and a billiard saloon, which transformation scheme will necessitate a number of alterations A somewhat similar courso, it is stated, may bo followed at Kijbirnie.';,— '•'-Further. ! particulars "> gained from other , 'sources-were.• as follow:—With.regard to. thf disposal of- the.lsland'Bay Hotel,-leased by Mrs. K l . Wilkinspnj' Mr.> Gilmer stated '■thatihe-had : no plans.... Mr.. MartinKennedy stated that Staples and' Co. had no? further plans for the disposal of their, hotelo 1 than calling ifor .tenders for sale, or -lease of the premises. .Staples and , Co.'a' hotels are tho Kilbirnie (lessees), .'sub-losaee Mr.'Wi'S. Ran , ; the.,•■ Esplanade, :M«.: EHen: Prictor ;■ All-Isations,. Kaiwarra, i lessee., Mr., ,fe;civ N'nyinrijStar and , : Garter (lessees), :snb4ess-sp; Mr, H.Dqoly; Perk; Hot«),; lessee, Mr.: Julius Lutsi. v-V-'j- 1 <:y v ' : ' '■' ■■•.';■; ■■ H