LICENSING MEETING

Evening Star, Issue 7627, 1 June 1888, Page 2

LICENSING MEETING

The annual meeting of the Licensing Committee for Dunedin was held at the City Police Court this day. The hour fixed was noon, but it was twenty-five minutes past that time before tho members of Committee took their seats. They wero Messrß A. Sligo (chairmaL), B. L. Stanford, H. Gourley, W. Woodland, and Dr Colq lhoun. Mr Solomon said that he appeared (instructed by the Licensed Victuallers' Association) in support of nearly all the applications. TUANSFERS GRANTED. Panama Hotel, Maurice Joel to John Dwycr; Auld Scotland, Mahala Cuthbertson to Andrew Smith; Queen's Arms, Andrew Smith to Johanna M'Lean; Grange. John Dwyer to Maurice Coghlan; White Horse, John Toomy to Joseph Toomy. With reference to the last application, the Chairman said that the Committee desired him to state, this being ono of the licensees that had been recentlyfined tor selling liquors during prohibited hours, that speaking generally they approved of the action of tho police in those cases. So long as they did not endeavor to lead licensees into breaking the law, they were right in trying to detect evasions of the law—they were quite within their right and duties. In future the Committee would be disposed to visit any such infractions of the law as selling during prohibited hours or after hours with a good deal of severity with perhaps more severity than had been the custom in the past. They wished to say that when the police do not try to lead licensees to sell liquor during prohibited hours they would have nothing to nay of their conduct except to approvothereof. These remarks would apply to all those canes in which the licensees had been fined for the offeucua referred to, NEW APPLICATIONS FOK OLD HOUSK.'i GHANTKH. Caledonian Hotel, Thomas M'Naniara; Canongate, Alfred Low (ten o'clock); Newmarket, David Scott; Auld Scotland, Audiew Smith; Queen's Anus, Johanna M'Lean; Bayley'a Kathleen K Carmalt; Universal, Amelia Nicholson ; Oriental, John Donaldson ; Glasgow, John Toomey; City, Joseph F. Nixijou ; Baldwin, Jamea Daly ; Panama, John Dwyer; Cosmopolitan, Catherine Graham; Robert Burns, John Infield; White Horse, Joseph Toomey ; Grange, Maurice Coghlan ; Palace, Donald A. Rons; Quceifn, Daniel White; National, George Nelson; North Dunedin, Fanny Hardie. KENEWALK GRANTED. Farmers' Arms, James Knox; Peacock, Honora Mcc; Southern, James Barron; Globe, Joseph Reany; Imperial, Mary Orton; Prince of Wales, Alfred Short; Gridiron, Margaret Roche; London, Thomas Cornish; Ship, Alexander Owon ; Pier, Joßcph Baxter (ten o'clock); Wain's, Job Wain, jun.; Grand, James Watson ; Watson's, John Watson; Occidental, Henry John Walter; Royal Family, Patrick O'Brien ; Rising Sun, Charles J. H. Robertson; Maitlaml, James Knight; Stafford, Hugh J. Black; Red Lion, John Walker; Provincial, John Sibbald ; Australasian, Dugald M'Leod; Audior, Gerald F. Eagar; Albion. Joseph Davies; Bull and Mouth, Godfrey Jacobs; Duko of Edinburgh, Joshua Eccles; Salutation, Adam Anderson (ten o'clock); Britannia, Samuel Porter; Shamrock, Janet Gcbbie; Crown, Patrick Keligher; Otago, Louis Court; Philp's, William L. Philp; Wharf, Benjamin Bern ; Railway Refreshment Rooms, John Lawson; Criterion, William 11. Efaydon; West Coast, William H. Skitcli; Supreme Court, William Sackler; Oban, Archibald M'Master; Douglas, James Liston; Carroll's, John Carroll; Wavcrloy, Emma Williamson ; Liverpool, Alfred H. O'Keefe; Sussex, Michael Fagau; Rainbow, Patrick Fagan; York, Catheiine Carroll; British, Thomas Hannon ; Royal Albert, Robort Allen; Harp of Erin, FraDcis M'Gratb ; Pacific, John Lawson; Shamrock and Thistle, Jamei Scanlan; Captain Cook, John E. Haydon; Caledonia, Patrick Cotter; Annandale, George Atkins; Great Northern, James Cuinmings; Victoria, Elizabeth Bantings ; Adolaide, James Glo3aop; Bowling Green, Edward Holmes; Commercial, Catherine Milla; Scotia, John Abbott; Pelichot Bay, George Batoinan; Prince Alfred, Edmund A. Ham...

KfNEWALS OK BOTTLE LICENSE?., GRANHD. W. T. Gilmour, J. Mulrooruy, G, Urydcn, J. Barron, J. Peterson (WalW mlkp),), A. B. Meiter, A. M'Faflanr, T. }!rown, P. M'toil, J. M. Lornas, H. Fuedlicli, J Pctci«on (George ukeut), W. fjtcvcimuii, J, M. Campbell, J, Foul,

W. D. Sutherland, A. Allan, W. Wright, R. Wilson, D. Mason, D. Comrie, Catherine B. Mills, M. Mecnan, Hannah M'Cullan, J. Bowie, J. Watson, D. G. Shepherd, F. W. Eggers, J. Lcighton, Umily Gordon. As the above cases came on the Chairman made the following remarks with referonce to special cases : Universal Hotel.—The police cannot say anything directly against the character of this house, except that tile conduct of it has been sofhewhat loose, Which bears out rumors that have reached the ears of the Committee. Even had tne police reported nothing, he was prepared to tell the licensee that she had better take warning, and see that her lioubo waa conducted properly. He might say-that, irrespective of convictions, if they had cause to feel convinoed in their own minds, from what they heard from the public, that a house was being improperly conducted, they would do what they could to put a stop to it. Peacock.—This house is reported to have been indifferently conducted in the past, and in view of the fact that complaints have been made it will bo well for the present lioensee to take good care to leave no room for complaint in the future. Provincial. assemble inside and outside of this house and are somewhat of a nuisance—naturally they are—still it is hardly possible, owing to the proximity of the theatre, to expect anything else. The Committee also believe tiiat Mr Sibbald grants them no further facilities than are absolutely necessary for them to obtain refreshments. Should any complaint come to reach the ears of the Committee, we should be quito ready to take notice of the imtter. There being none at present, the license is gi anted. Duke of Edinburgh.—The licensee of this house is ono of those who has been fined for selling liquor in prohibited hours. He knows the consequences if ho repeats the offence. Red Lion.—The sarao remarks apply to this case, and to others of the same nature. A RKNEWAL B.EFDSKD. On the application of Ann Diamond for a renewal of the license of the Clarendon Hotel coming on, Mr Solomon said that he appeared on behalf of the applicant, and also of Mr James Wilson, owner of the house, He understood that there was some opposition to the application. The Chairman said that such was the case ; the Committee intended taking action in the matter. Mr Solomon said that notice of objection had been given to both licensee and owner, but there was no specification of the grounds on which the objection was based more than that the house had been improperly conducted. His client was so far quite unaware of what was alleged, but he presumed that something definite would now be stated. The Committee must understand that he wai not now raising any technical objection to their action ; he simply wanted to have tho matter clearly stated. The Chairman said that in considering this application the Committee found that nearly every member had been furnished with such information respecting the conducting of tho business of the house as had induced adesire on the part of four out of tho five members of Committee to make an example, and after discussion the Committee were unanimous in agreeing to serve Mrs Diamond with notice of their intention to decline to p;rant a renewal of the license to her. The Committee took action entirely of their own motion, but before doing so they consulted the Inspector of Police, who, while admitting that the police had not been I able to make direct charges against the licensee, ' stated that the police believed the house was not conducted in a proper manner. Me (the speaker) might say that the statements which had reached the members of Committee had been made by reputable citizens, whose statements were based upon a knowledge of what had occurred in connection with relatives or friends of their own. The Committee could not put those people in the witness-box, because they objected to the exposure which would result to relatives or friends; but they were bound to recognise the credibility of those who had made the statements. The outcome of the whole matter was that a house may be conducted in an improper manner, although the licensee may carefu'ly guard against exposing him or herself to prosecution by the police; and there may for all that he ample and sufficient cause for refusing a license, and the Committee may be able to satisfy themselves that there is such ample cause. When this state of affairs existed, the Committee filt they would be justified in taking action, even though there might have been no prosecution or endorsement on the license. It would bo well that licensees Bhould understand that the Committee will, of their own motion, take action under such circumstances as he had shadowed out. And these were the circumstances under which tho Committee had determined to refuse a renewal of this license to Mrs Diamond. The Committee's position under the Act in connection with this case they took to be as follows:-Section <I3 empowers the Committee, of their own motion, to take objection to the renewal of a license. Section 81 details the objections which may bo taken to the renewal of a license. Under subsection 3 of section 81 the Committee talui the objection that the house—the Clarendon lluM— is conducted by the licensee, Mrs Annie Diamond, in an improper manner. Under section 83 the Committee have "at least three days before the commencement of the licensing meeting'-' served tho licensee with written notice of their intention to refuse a renewal of this license to Mrs Diamond, or, in the words of the Act, "to oppose such renewal." Under section 8-\ "when the renewal of a license is refused for some reason personal to the licensed person'' tho Committee may, "if they think fit bo to do," adjourn further proceedings for a period of not less than twenty-one days or more t!)an thirty days. At the adjourned meeting "application (not being by the person so refused) for a license of the same description as that rofuscd in respect of the same premises may bo heard and determine 1 at such adjourned meeting." Mr Solomon: Do I understand that tho license is refused ? The Chairman: We intend to do so. Mr Solomon: It seems to me that it is rather a farcical proceeding to give a licensee notice of objection, and when she comes here to tell her that her application is refused. Surely she ought to have a voice in the matter! What is the use of bringing her here at all, otherwise? It is a case of giving judgment on an application before the application itself was heard. What is the use of going into a defence now ? In mere justice, if the applicant is not entitled to her licenso, she has a right to be heard. What is the object of bringing her here ? I suppose she cannot give evidence ? Tho Chairman: Wc havo decided on tho evidence before us. While you havo been finding fault with tho action of the Committee, and asking their reasons for acting as tlioy have done, I would ask you what is the object of these clauses in the Act unless wc are to use them as wc arc now using them ? Mr Solomon: Any tribunal would decide a matter after having the facts on bath nide.i laid before it; the Committee's action is oppose 1 to all the principles of British justice. The Chairman: We do not, as yet, Bay that we shall lcfino the license ; if you can lead evidence that will induce us to change our minds, we do not luy that wo shall not grant the license, Mr Solomon : Practically it mean;! that it will bciofußcd, Inspector Wcldon said that he wished to make a few remarks on tho application, The hotel had bum conducted in a very peculiar way, to nay tho best of it; tho nervants employed there were of very loose habits, too. From time to time immoral women were found to be in the house. Tho conduct of the house had been reported to the police from time to timo by respcctablo citizens, and evidence would now be given by various police officers as to its conduct and as to the complaints made by the public in connection with it. Sergeant Gcarin stated that from time to time he had found in the hotel persons of bad repute, and persons who were net bona fide lodgers or travellers. There had been several girls there who were women of the town. Mrs Diamond had been told of the characters of the girls, and she had said that she weuld discharge them, To Mr Solomon: Witness had frequently cautioned Mrs Diamond as to the manner in which the house was being conducted and as to many complaints having been made by tho public about it. Sergeant-major Bnvin stated that he had cautioned Mrs Diamond about keeping immoral women there. The house was very badly conducted ; it was kept open all night, and eardplaying, singing, and drinking went on at all hours. When tho police managed to got in, all signs of drink wero removed, and tho men would tay that tlioy were boarder*". Tho character of the houso was that it was ns bad as any brothel in the town. Recently a woman of bad character, who was employed there as barmaid, was summoned for the change of LI which a man had given ber to ray for a drink, and which change Bhe refused to give him, making immoral propositions to him instead. To Mr Solomon: That case was dismissed. Constable Ramsay stated tbat fighting and noisy conduct were of nightly occurrence, and he had aeen prostitutes coming out of it at two and three o'clock in the mornings. Mi- Solomon remarked that in tho face of the Committee's aheady expressed opinion, which he must say had been strengthened by the evidence of the police, it seemed perfectly useless to offer aDy defence In the matter; at the same time he would like the Committee to hear what Mrs Diamond had to say. It was a very severe thing to take away the bed from under a woman, for that was what it would amount to, Mris Diamond having no other livelihood, He

presumed that all the Bench wanted to do was to give her a severe caution. , , The Chairman: She has been warned before. ,;

Mr Solprhon remarked that i\ was dangerous to proceed on hearsay evidence such as had been given, and ho would suggest that Committee give Mrs Diamond an opportunity of reforming her house by granting her license until say next quarterly meeting; and, if tho house were kept under the strict supervision of the police and conducted properly, then she might have her license continued. Mrs Diamond, on being sworn,. paid that she had never been warned as to the Way in whioh tho house was conduoted. As to the gills that had been referred to, they were respectable as far as she knew. One of them was uow in a bar in another hotel in Dunedin, and it was cruel to challenge her character, Two women once wont to the house for board and residence, and she had of course to take them, but as soon as the police told her that they were bad characters she sent them away. She did not have women of immoral character about the house—that was a thing she had set her face against all her life, and she challenged anyone to stand up and sny that she did have them in the placo. The Committeo retired for a fow minutes, and on returning into Court The Chairman said : The meeting will bo adjourned for four weeks, but the license will not be renewed to Mrs Diamond. The landlord can in the meantime take such steps as he thinks fit to look after his own interests. POLICE REPORT. Inspector Weldon reported that during tho year ended yesterday (the population of tho district bekg 23,331) there were eighty two publicana' licenses, thirty bottle licenses, and twenty-nine general licenses in force. Seven hotels had ten o'clock licenses and seventy-five had eleven o'clock licenses. There were two convictions for permitting gambling, and Beven for Sunday trading. The only complaints lodged were against the Clarendon Hotel. There had been 447 charges of drunkenness, but the cases could not be traced to any licensed house in particular. The hotels that closed on Sundays were the Provincial, Bayley's, and the Liverpool Arms. The cases of drunkenness numbered 288 less than last year, when the number wbs 735.