THE SYDENHAM LICENSING MUDDLE.

Evening Star, Issue 9185, 14 July 1893, Page 1

THE SYDENHAM LICENSING MUDDLE.

A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers' Conference waited on the Hon. MiReeves last night, and brought under notice of the Government the state of affairs in the. Sydenham licensing district. The decision of the Supreme Court in Christchuroh on Wednesday rendered the licenses by the new Committee to three hotels in Sydenham informal, and the deputation wished tho Government to allow the renewals which had been granted some time previously to three other houses, and which, it was feared, would be affected by the decision of the Court, to remain in force until a local option poll was taken in April next A short time ago Sydenham was divided into four licensing districts, and th« decision of the Court was based on this fact, the judge holding tlat new licenses could not be granted till a poll had been taken. The Hon. Mr Reeves said he could not commit himself to any reply ou the subject, but would lay the views of the deputation before his colleagues. The opinion of the Crown law officers on the point would be taken, but he could tell the deputation that the law would be maintained. It was proposed that a validating Bill should be brought in, but Mr Reeves said this could not possibly be done,