CITY HOTELS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 55, 6 March 1916, Page 8

CITY HOTELS

UNSATISFACTORY REPORTS

FOUR LICENSEES TO BE WARNED

As a result of the quarterly meeting of the Wellington City Licensing Committee held at the Magistrate's Court to-day four licensees are to be warned that their nouses must be better conducted, otherwise the police will take drastic action. The Bench was occupied by the chairman (Mr. W. G. Riddell. S-M-), and Messrs W. J. Helyer, J. Smith, and R. Fletcher.

The Chairman said that the police report was not quite so satisfactory as that presented at the last quarterly meeting. It was stated that four hotels in the city were being indifferently conducted. The committee was of opinion that some allowance, of course, should be made for the extraordinary circumstances of the present time. Nevertheless, it considered that a report which reflected on the conduct of even one hotel could not be regarded as satisfactory. With regard to the hotels about which complaint was made. Inspector Hendrey said that he understood it would be his duty at the animal meeting to place before the committee evidence justifying the unsatisfactory classification of any hotel. At any rate, that was what he proposed to do. Unless there was an improvement in the meantime, the police would oppose the renewal of licenses.

The Chairman: "The Committee will expect to hear such evidence."

Inspector Hendrey: "In regard to two of the houses mentioned, the report last quarter was the same. I then had 15 or 16 witnesses at the Court in order to prove the facts, but I did not oall them on that occasion. I hope the licensees will realise their responsibilities, especially in war time, and fee that they conduct their • houses decently."

Mr. T. Young said he did not know whether any of his clients were affected but he thought the hotelkeepers should be informed of the nature of the complaint against them, in order that they could have a chance of rectifying matters. Inspector Hendrey said that in two cases it was alleged that prostitutes Avere permitted to congregate on the premises. He would willingly give the clerk details of the complaints.

The Chairman intimated that the licensees concerned would be warned.

The following transfers Avere approved : Royal Hotel, Official Assignee to Percy Michael Mills; Wellington Hotel, L. C. vfansen to Martin Ryan.