The License of the Commercial Hotel.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 25, 16 June 1886, Page 2

The License of the Commercial Hotel.

Boforc the business which was to bo brought before the adjourned meeting of the Lambtou Licensing Bench to-day was commenced, Mr. A. A. Barnott complained that a temporary transfer of the license of the Commercial Hotel, Willis-street, had been granted to Mrs. Smith, wife of tho late landlord of tho Post Office Hotel, without the knowledge of two or three members of tho Bench, including himself. Ho said .that of course it was not absolutely necossary they should have been consulted, bocan&o under the Act two members could grant a temporary transfer if they so desirod. He thought a little courtesy should have been shown by those mombors of the Bench who granted tho transfer from Mr. GuilfordtoMra. Smith. If he had been consulted ho should not have agreed to such a transfer. His reason would havo been that he did not approve of married women taking independent action as regards tho keeping of hotels. ' Ho understood that the Inspector of Police was not consulted, and in tbat he considered there had been a want of tho usual formality. Mr. Shearman should have boon communicated with, because the name of James Smith had como pretty prominently before tho public of late. He (Mr. Barnott) should like to hear an expression of opinion on the subject from the other members of the Bench Tho Chairman (Mr. Willeston) said that Mr. Barnott was making a mountain ont of a molohill. He (the speaker) enquired whethor there was any reason why Mrs. Smith should not hold a license and was told there was none. He then signed the application. The Clerk to the Bench (Mr. J. Ames) explained that Mr. Guilford never held a license. A provious tenant, Mr. Flaherty, went away with the license, and Mr. Guilford was in consequenco only able to hold a permit The" license had not been transferred to Mrs. Smith, who was just in the same position as Mr. Guiltord. The Chairman's signature was quito sufficient under the circumstancos. The Chairman remarked that if ho had heard anything ngainst Mrs. Smith's character he would not havo granted the application. Mr. Fisher thought Mis. Smith was more sinned against' than sinning. , Mr. Barnett expressed a desire to hear the views of Inspector Shearman. Inspector Shearman said that Mr. Smith, while licensee of the Post Office > Hotel, had several times been charged with Sunday trading, and had tho police by keeping people on guard to watch for thoir approach. Ho thought that Mrs. Smith must havo been cognisant of her husband's doings. , Mr. Barnott^asked Mr. Shearman whether he would have recommended Mrs. Smith being allowed to go into tho Commercial Hotel. Mr. Shearman said he would not, but would have done all in his power to oppose her getting a permit. Mr. Barnett asked Mr. Shearman whethor he would recommend the granting of a license to a married woman ,who was not separated from her husband. Mr. Shearman said that for many reasons he would have opposed tho granting- of a license to Mrs. Smith. Mr. Fisher asked Mr. Barnett whether ho was not a day behind the fair. The Act, he pointed out, contained provision for women holding licenses. Mr. Barnott said ho did not think there was provision for holding of licenses by women not separated from their husbands. Mr. Fisher obsorved that a woman holding a protection order could hold a license. His opinion was that Mr. Smith would never apply for another license in Wellington. Mr. Barnett— You smell tronble, then ? Mr. Fisher said that he did not know what Mr. Barnett meant. Mr. Barnett expressed himself satisfied with the way in which the subject had been ventilated, and the Bench then proceeded to other business.