LICENSING BENCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3871, 6 March 1915, Page 2

LICENSING BENCH.

FINAL MEETING OF PRESENT COMMITTEE.

The rruarterlv meeting of the Gisborne Licensing Bench was held at noon yesterday. There were present: Messrs W. A. Barton, S.M. (Chairman), Mr McLeod, J. H. Hall, and J. SomeYvelJ. Senior-Sergt. Hutton reported that the hotels in the borough had been conducted , satisfactorily during the quarter, and stated that there was nothing to call for special mention. The* reports as to the_ conduct of hotels in the country districts between Gisborne and Wairoa was also of a satisfactory nature. In his report, Constable Maloney stated that no start had been made with the erection of a new building at Wderenga-o-ktiri to replace the hotel burned down on November 9 last. At present there was a temporary bar, wifh no accommodation or conveniences except the / stables, which had not been destroyed by the fire. Under the present conditions, it was most awkward for the travelling public. Regarding the More re Hot Springs Hotel, Constable Torr stated in his report that complaints had been made to Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., as to the conduct of this house during the Christmas holidays, but investigations made by the police did not substantiate the charge. He had no complaint to make about the conduct of Die bouse.

The Chairman remarked that there was nothing in the reports calling for comment from the committee. Licensing matters in the district were apparent] v satisfactory. He stated that eompbiints had been made to him regarding the conduct of the Morerc Hot. Springs Hotel during the Christmas holidays, and he passed on the complaint to the police. Investigations had been made, and the charge had not been substantiated.

TRANSFERS. The following transfers were granted :—Harry Cooper, Waerenga-o-kurl Hotel, lo Bertie Albert Lowe; Frederick James Single, Record Reign Hotel, to Walter David Graham. Bertie Albert Lowe (Mr .J. Graham) applied for a renewal of the license for the Waerenga-o-kuri Hotel, as the original one was destroyed in the fire. The application was granted. PARTING AMENITIES. ‘•'As this is the last meeting of the present committee,” remarked Mr Somervell, “I think we should pass _ a vote of thanks to our chairman for the very able manner in which lie has conducted the business of the committee during the past three years.” Mr Somervell stated that the. Chairman’s impartiality and justice in dealing with all the work which had come before them had been most marked, and it had been a pleasure to sit with him. “Tho licensing matters throughout the district are apparently satisfactory,” continued Mr Somervell, ‘‘but I would like to ask the sergeant where be gets all his drunks from.” (Laughter.) Mr Somervell said they did not know many of the members of the committee would he elected again. “I have to thank you, Mr SomcvveT,” said YU' Barton, “for your references towards myself. 1 can only say that I have done my duty to the best of my ability. I alone am inn entitled to thanks. I wish to thank all the members for the great assistance they have at all times given me. We have never had the slightest friction on tho committee, and wo have worked together most harmoniously. I hope to see some of you back again.” “You will not have me,” remarked Mr McLeod. “I shall bo sorry to lose you, Mr McLeod,” replied the Chairman. “You have sat with me for many years now. and I have always found you fair and reasonable in all matters which have come before the committee.” Mr McLeod thanked the Chairman for his remarks, stating that it had been a pleasure to him to sit on the committee. "Perhaps we have failed to curb the liquor traffic,” lie concluded, “but we have at least endeavored to do justice to all parties. ’