PROPOSED NEW LICENSING ACT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 897, 27 June 1879, Page 3

PROPOSED NEW LICENSING ACT.

The following is a synopsis of the new Licensing Bill which (according to Mr H. Feldwick) is to be introduced by the Government next session :—(lst.) The Act is to come into force on the 31st December, 1879. (2m1.) All contrary Acts wdl be repealed. (3rd.) The licensing districts shall be boroughs, ridings of Counties, road districts outside Counties, and other districto which the Governor in Council may constitute (4th.) No new' licenses shall be granted unless by determination of ratepayers. (sth.) A poll of ratepayers, in terms of the Regulation of Local Elections Act, IS7O, shall be taken to decide whether in any district the number of publicans’ licenses shall be increased. (6th.) The affirmation of a proposal by ratepayers to increase licenses shall not make granting by the Licensing Court imperative. (7th.) At any meeting of the Licensing Court, a petition or memorial signed by two-thirds of residents or ratepayers of the district shall compel the Licensing Court to refuse a license for any particular house for which a license may be sought. (Bth ) The hours during which liquors may be sold are to be restricted to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (9th.) An extension to 12 p.m. may be granted within boroughs. (10th.) Selling liquor on Sun-

days, except to lodgers or bond fule travellers will subject to a penalty not exceeding JEIO for every separate offence committed ou the same day. (llth.) A bond fide traveller must be a resident five miles away from the licensed premises at which he may obtain liquor, and must have travelled at least that distance on the day when he shall be supplied, 12th.) The fine for false representations as to having the qualification of a bona fide traveller shall be nut exceeding 115.