THE NEWTOWN LICENSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 133, 5 June 1902, Page 4

THE NEWTOWN LICENSE.

It would appear from the proceedings at yesterday's meeting of tho Suburbs Licensing Committee that tho advocates of the proposed Coronation Hotel have availed themselves of a Legislative error to .institute a sort of gtonewall. When the number of members of the Licensing Committee was decreased in 18S5 Parliament in a fit of absence of "mind neglected to decrease the number required for a quorum. Consequently while the Committee has only six members, five are still required to constitute a quorum. A full Committee assembled yesterday, but when the Coronation Hotel cane came up tho opponouts of the license protested against the presence on tho bench of a gentleman alleged to be somewhat nearly "related to tho applicant for the license. When that gentleman was prevailed upon to withdraw another member of the committee withdrew also, and as there was no quorum, consideration of tho ease was adjourned for a week. We do not wish at this stage to comment upon the motives of the member who thus withdraw out of sympathy for a colleague, but we would point out to tho "trade" that the granting of tho license in opposition to the express wishes of the residents in the neighbourhood will necessarily .strengthen the Prohibition vote in tlm Suburbs. It would not need a very Urge increase of votes to carry Prohibition in that district, while reduction would be a "moral certainty" if the new license were granted. The "trade" is, we believe, divided on the question of this new hotel, and it would be well for those who do not believe in its necessity to use such influence us they have against it. \\ 0 trust that on Wednesday next tho Committee will have a quorum without Mr. Cudby, und that it will see fit to reject tho application in deference to the wishes of the residents.