LICENSING COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1653, 7 June 1879, Page 2

LICENSING COURTS.

LYPTELTON. Fbiday, June 6. [GommissioEors present—H. R. Webb, Etq., chairman, J. I'. Rouse, and T. H. Potts, Eaqs.] Sergeant-Major O'Grady appeared on behalf of the police. Patrick Cain, keeper of a boarding-house called the Harp of Erin, London street,, and formerly the holder of a wine and beer license, applied for a license to be again granted to him. Mr H. N. Nalder, in behalf of the application, said the license had been taken away the previous licensing day, not on account of any neglect in the conduct of the house, but because of the intemperate habits of the licensee. That cause had now been removed. The applicant had abstained from using intoxicating drinks, and would, if required, promise that his wife should hare the whole management of the house, he to work at some other occupation. He asked that the Bench grant a temporary license for three months, to give his client a trial. The case was one of much hardship, as the applicant's business had been seriously impaired by the suspension of his license. The Bench considered it was it was a mistake that a house of the kind had ever been licensed, and, without any reference to the applicant's fitness, the Bench thought that few, if any, more of these wine and beer licenses should be granted. In this case it would refuse it. James Montgomery, holder of a temporary licanse for the Lyttelton Hotel, asked to have it confirmed, and a license granted. Sergeant-Major O'Q-rady said that the applicant was but a manager for Mr Belgrave, who held a licensed house in Christchurch, and on this account was not a fit person as a regular proprietor. The police had found the hotel bedrooms uns wept and in indifferent order upon visiting the place fourteen days ago. The closets were found also in a very uncleanly state, and were not placed where they should be. In the building next the hotel the applicant had lately started a bowling alley, about which complaints had been made by the neighbors. The alley was put up without any permission being asked. The day the police inspected the hotel Mr Montgomery was absent, but they found the rooms unswept at three in the afternoon. The Bench reprimanded the applicant for the state and situation of the conveniences on the premises, and ordered that the bowling alley be olosed. Mr Montgomery Btated that he was away when the police called, and that the girl had been busy washing that day, and had not got the rooms cleaned. Since he took possession of the place, however, he had been complimented by everyone upon the cleanliness of his house. Sergeant-major O'Grady asked the Bench to state its opinion as to the objection to Mr Montgomery's eligibility on account of being but a manager for Mr Belgrave. The Bench postponed the application for a fortnight. Licenses were granted to—F. Bashford, Ocean Yiew Hotel, Q-overnor's Bay ; Patrick Barry, Cambridge Hotel, Lyttelton ; Mary Ann Beverley, Saxon Hotel, Norwich Quay ; George Edmonds, Wheat Sheaf, Head of Bay ; Thomas Graham, British Hotel, Oxford street; Mr H. N. Nalder for applicant. Augustus Hardecke, Albion Hotel, was informed that one conviction for Sunday trading was recorded against him, and to be careful. Sergeant-major O'Grady said he had objected for some years to thin house being licensed. Tbc building was in a dilapidated condition, the rooms small and inaccessible. Tho Bench informed the applicant that very material improvements must be made before next year to the house, failing which it is improbable a license will be granted. The license was granted. No objection was raised to James Hill, Mitre Hotel; H. Keano, Boyal Hotel; D. Lazarus, Victoria Boarding-house, Oxford street, wine and beer (Mr H. N. Nalder for Mr Lazarus) and a license was granted in each case. Licenses were granted to Mr Melburn, Whitecliff 's Hotel, Governor's Bay, and Mr Moyniban, Crown Hotel, Oxford street. The Bench drew the attention of Mr A. McDonald, Canterbury Hotel, to the circumstsnee of there being one conviction entered against his house. Sergeant-Major O'Grady said the house was a picture of neatness and cleanliness, and Mr McDonald was having an alteration made in the conveniences at the back of his premises, which he had suggested should be done. The license was granted. An objection was made to the Railway Hotel, J. McQuilken, London and Canterbury slraets, that the house had not the necessary accommodation for travellers, after allowing for the accommodation of the landlord'* family. Mr McQuilken said that he was about to move his fsmily to a private cottage, so that the objection would be removed. He had also contemplated increasing the size of the hotel, by putting an addition at the side. The Bench said thut such alterations must be made within the ensuing year. The license was granted. A similar objection was made to the Empire Hotel, P. O'Brien. Mr O'Brien said ho had added several rooms to the house since he took it, and a further outlay would be a great hardship to him. The Bench said he must provide more accommodation before next licensing day or a license would most likely bo refused.