CLOSED AND THEN RE-OPENED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1022, 11 January 1911, Page 4

CLOSED AND THEN RE-OPENED.

"SOFT DRINKS" BASS AND THE ACT. . (Bj Telegraph—Press; Association.) Invercargill, January 10. • The exact definition of the new Licensing Act legislation has yet to he determined, but to-day saw the reopening of the "soft drinks" bar in Invercargill which has-since the'start of'the New Year, borne the announcement: "Owing to the now Licensing Act being put into force this temperance bar is now closed." Tho cessation of business, it appears, was made, to avoid, any risk of the: premises being regarded as a place of resort for customers consuming liquor from a per-sonally-carried flask or bottle as an accompaniment to aerated waters. The uncertainty thus prevailing was also responsible for some social events becoming "dry." That such a stringent interpretation of the Act has been a matter of inconvenience to visitors, from the country, cannot be doubted,' and. considerable resentment was expressed at what was regarded as a: curtailment of the rights of the public in being thus deprived of the liberty of taking a "pick-me-up" in private. It ,is now considered, however, that the casual use of a private bottle, as an accompaniment to "soft drinks" purchased arid " consume! on hotel, restauriint, or other premises is not an infringement of the Act,--and the sequel yesterday was that the old orderof things was restored at the establishment referred to with the exception, of course,-, that. the storage of liquor in looked iff any* form; is prohibited. Police-Inspector Mitchell, on being spoken to yesterday, by a "Southland Times" representative, expressed the opinion that the practice alluded ,to'did not concern the police. The new development is also'interesting by reason ,of : the fact that it is now thought that alcoholic refreshments will be able" to be dispensed at public dinners and gatherings, their provision for ' immediate ' consumption being no longer regarded, as coming under the definition of "storage," and the place of entertainment not being interpreted as constituting a' "resort." • •It Gore, where, and after December 31, the sale ■ of' cordials for consumption with liquor had -been suspended at the hotels and restaurants, steps, similar to those' at Invercargill are being taken for tho recommencement. of business, and"soft drinks" will once more bo obtainable: without restriction."