WELLINGTON HOTELS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 130, 5 June 1922, Page 8

WELLINGTON HOTELS

POLICE REPORT I

GENERALLY SATISFACTORY CONDUCT.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Licensing ■ Committee was held to-day. Mr. W. G. Riddell prpsided^ and there were also on the Bench: Messrs. G. ■Petberick, C. Chilman,. W. I. Clark, F. Meadowcroft, and W. J. Helyer. The chairman read the .following report from Inspector M'llveney : —"I have just completed an inspection of the licensed premises. I was accompanied and assisted by Mr. J. PI. Cowdrey, Inspector of Health. The j-esult is far beyond what I had anticipated. In every instance the premises are scrupulously clean, well appointed, and in good condition, the older ones having beon extensively renovated; the internal furnishings having been replenished at considerable cost; and the general standard is above that which obtained in pre-war days. Generally speaking, the conduct of the licensed houses during the past twelve months has been exceptionally satisfactory. Not a single complaint has.been received in respect of fully eighty per cent, of them., and the supply of liquor to females in j open bars or for consumption on the premises has been practically minimised." The Chairman remarked that the committee was glad to see that a large number of the licensees discouraged women drinking in hotels. They had heard a good deal about that matter during the last few months. The committee recognised that licensees had the Tight to serve women who called for refreshments; at the same time the committee considered that it was in the interests of the public generally that women should be discouraged as much as possible from remaining on hotel premises while calling for ,refreshment. The committee had received communications from a lodge drawing attention to the fact, and expressing the opinion that there was rather much drinking among females.' The committee thought the matter could be dealt with satisfactorily if licensees endeavoured to follow out the suggestions the committee made on the matter. During !the hearing of applications for renewals of licenses. Inspector M'llveney said the police had complaints to make, in respect to the serving of women with liquor in the casee of the Metropolitan, •Clarendon, and Shpmrock Hotels. The Chairman, in granting renewals, said that greater care must be taken in respect to serving liquor to women. New applications were granted as follow :—S. Allen (Masonic), E. Limbrick (Cambridge), T. Wilkinson (Imperial), F. J. Foley (Britannia),- F. Brough (Central), A. J. Norris (Carlton), A. Gustafson (New Zealander), J. Berryman (Pier), A. J. Munro ('Barrett's), S. Edilson (Terminus), Nellie St. Leger (National), Alice Herdman (Post Office) P. L. Firth (Dominion), and W. J. Horan (Princess). Renewals; were granted in other cases as applied for. '