A DANCE HALL LICENCE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 11

A DANCE HALL LICENCE

COUNCIL IN A QUANDARY

BAD CONDUCT IN PAST

On several occasions the conduct of patrons of the management of a dance hall in Abel Smith street, the Early Settlers' Hal1 and the granting of a ; new licence, the old licence having been cancelled.and twice refused, have been debated by the City Council, and last evening there was further discussion. The management recently applied for renewal of the licence, but the Bylaws Committee, acting largely, upon an adverse report from; the police, recommended that uon'e should be granted. There was a good deal of difference of opinion among councillors, several of whom thought that the management, after having been given a sharp lesson by the cancellation of the licence, should be given an opportunity of showing whether in future they eoiild not run,the hall in a more seemly manner. Further, there was the fact that the owners of the hall were losing revenue through the council's decision.

Councillor Hildreth said that dance halls should not-be allowed in residential areas. Dances, and the class of people who went to them, at this hall, had had a very bad reputation. The dances, and the disturbances that had taken place there, not inside the hall but outside it, had been most undesirable. ... ■..;.: ......

• Councillor ■ Wright thoaght : the 'applicants should be given: a chance to carry on, provided that no nuisance to the neighbourhood, and nol eyesore to the police, as was formerly the case, occurred.

Councillor Semple thought tho,people generally should be considered. Anyone familiar with the past knew quite well that the conduct of the people who had congregated there, was a disgrace to the city. It was a place not fit for any young man. or woman to go to. Tho council should consider tho protection of young girls, and .what with half drunken sailors, who "kicked up donnybrooks'' there, it was no place for young people. If the assurance could bo given that there would be no recurrence of the objectionable features, a short lease might be given. The clauso was finally taken back. Councillor Luckie remarked that the council .should not lose sight of the responsibility which it would be taking in granting a licence in the teeth of an adverse report from the police.