MEMBERS RELUCTANT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 11

MEMBERS RELUCTANT

GRANTING- OF LICENCE

ATTENTION RECOMMENDED

"The committee feels some reluctance in granting the licence, but will grant it once again. ... It is suggested that the police should devote a considerable amount of attention to this house during the next twelve months with the object of satisfying the committee that the licensing laws are being obeyed."

These remarks were made by the chairman of the Wellington. Licensing Committee (Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M.) when the application of T. M. Brerinan for a renewal of his licence for the Te Aro Hotel was considered by the committee today. The application had been stood down from the annual meeting of the committee last jnonth.

Inspector G. B. Edwards stated that the police had received no complaints regarding the hotel during the last month, and as far as'he knew the house had been well conducted. His remarks were endorsed by Mr. J. A. Scott, who appeared ,for the applicant. . The chairman said that some members .of the committee were slightly unwiiling to grant a renewal of the licence, owing in a measure to their personal Observations. They had reason to believe from personal observation that people had been frequenting the hotel at a very late hour. Motor-cars had been sefen pulling up outside the hotel, and people in evening clothes, apparently from dances, had been seen to enter.

"I don't know exactly what is in it, but that is from their personal observation," said the chairman. "It is suggetsed that the police should devote a considerable amount of attention to this house during the next twelve months with the object of satisfying the committee that the licensing laws are being obeyed."

Representations have been made to me as chairman of the committee by some members, who state that they think things are not as they should be, said Mr. Mosley. Wellington is an important centre, and I don't want any licensees to get the impression that they can trade at all hours, irrespective of the law..As a Magistrate, I will be particularly strict on licensees, provided that they are convicted of substantial offences under the Licensing Act.