LICENSING BENCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 September 1924, Page 10

LICENSING BENCH.

ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING

The adjourned annual meeting of the Patea Licensing Bench was held m che Courthouse at Haw-era yesterday, Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., was in the chair, and associated with him on the bench were Messrs C. J. Hawken, H. Graves. E. A. Pacey and E. Dixon. POLICE OPPOSITION.

The licensee of the Railway Hotel at Waitotara, Mrs Isabella Nieison, made application for a renewal' of her license, !.ue police raising An objection on the grounds that the building was cut of repair.

Mr P. O’Dca, for the owner, Mr Zolirab, said that the hotel was'-now u a besttar state of repair- than rt had been during the past ten years. Over 1-300 had been spent on repairs ot'itc recently, with the result that-the building was now in much better condition than it was last year when the license was renewed.

His Worship asked why there should be any necessity for the Railway Hotel when the Waitotara Hotel was being rebuilt in brick, and would meet the requirements of the travelling public. Mr O’Dea replied that the same question could be asked in Greymouth, where there were 50 hotels, or ±n Westport, where there were 30. If it were just a question of catering for the travelling public there could be. no doubt that even in Haw-era throe .hotels would suffice instead of seven. Mr O’Dea contended that the bevse was in a reasonable state of repair for a hotel of this particular class, taking into account the age of the building.

His Worship pointed out .tint the issue at present was, “Is this hotel now in a reasonable state of lcpair?” There must come a time, Ik- said, vtneiv. owing to its age, the building would ba. rendered useless.

Sergeant Hemry said he was not satisfied that the hotel in question was in a sufficient state of repair John DuffiU, architect, was called, and gave evidence concerning the condition of the building, and in reading his written report opened with the general remarks: “The building is n. ve'y old cue. and is in a. state of advanced decav. Piles have apparently sunk and let down walls and floor uppers, and in many cases the floors aire uneven. The whole of thei building is too close to the ground, and the floor at the main entrance is level, or slightly below the level of the footpath, thus allowing storm water to enter the' building p-nd' sweep through the floors ii to ’iV-- cellar.”

Witnv-s? said that in his opinion the building should be either pulled cxwn rod replaced with a. new one. or' it

"uhl he thoroughly overhauled !rom top to bottom, and all decayed timber replaced with new. In the event of ronovation, there would he very little material that could be taken out of

'' -* old building and used in rhe rcw. However, at present the building was clean and tidy, Which reflected credit on the licensee. The health inspector (Mr Coleman'* corroborated the architect’s evidence, ‘-ml gave further evidence as to inefficient drain fine and rotten timber in the building. It was his opinion that the rotten condition of the timber had been covered up to a certain extent by new wood .and r»aint. Constable Willetts said that the house was proctically condemned in the police report of about four years ago. He had heard the architect’s evidence in connection with the state of the house, and he agreed with it. Although he was only a lawmen he knew that nothing could be done with the building except pulling it down.

Edward Good, a builder, detailed repairs, costing £330, carried out recently by him consequent upon the licensee giving him instructions to nut the building in repair. The building had been put in repair, but if anyone ■were to go round looking for trouble they would find it. Questioned bv his A\ T oi*ship, witness admitted that if anything like a reacounble standard were applied to the building, it was beyond repair, hut in -ep.lv to Mr O’Dea he said that the building was not in a had state of repair considering its age.

Mr G’Dea asked that, the Benchshould take into consideration the fact that the police report was made when it was thought that the Railway Hotel was going to be the only hotel in AVaitotarn. and consequently would have to provide all the accommodation for the travelling public. Tf now transpired that, the AVaitotawa Hotel, which bad recently been destroyed by fire, was now being rebuilt in brick. Mr B-eeHiey submitted that in the event of the committee deciding that dm building was out of repair the.committee. should give a direction as to wlmt repairs should be carried oui The members of the Bench ‘hen letired. and on resuming (reported a finding of fact which was as fellows: “Tim committee is of the opinion that tb-e building known . as the Railway Hotel is out. of repair within the meaning o.f section 109 of the Licensing Act.” Mr Zohrab at once interjected that although he had spent already £330 he jwrould, if allowed to continue til l June, surrender the license at that date.

Mr O’Dea said Mr Zohrab had spoken burr’-cdlv without giving the matter the consideration necessary. The chairman: This is what the bench would prefer, but they have not the power to agree to such a course

Mr O’Dea. after oorwult’ng with Mr Zohrab said that if the Bench would •rive the time asked, they would be agreeable to the Bench appointing a ■lerk of works and guarantee all ro•mirs being carried out to his satisfaction.'

The chairman said that the Bench would, in v’ew of the importance of the point raised, postpone further tonvdemticn for a fortnight- to give the "■"• per time to see what could be done. Thev had no wish to act hurriedly, in of the suggestion made-. Tb’s was agreed to and the case was closed.

OTHER- LICENSES. The issue of a license was granted Andrew Laing of the Dominion Hotel, Hawera. and also Austin Harrison Holden, of the Kni Twi Hotel. The transfer of the license for the Albion Hotel, Paten., from S. J. Whiteford to Daniel J. Lynch was granted.