NAPIER LICENSING BENCH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10479, 8 December 1896, Page 3

NAPIER LICENSING BENCH.

A "BREEZE" BETWEEN MR SUT10N AND MRS HILL, The Napier Licensing Committee met yesterday to consider applications for several transfers of licenses. There were present Messrs A. Turnbull (chairman), F. Sutton, G. A. M'Donald, S. Carnell, C. H. Cranby. P. G. Smith, Dr. Spencer, and Mesdames Hill nnd Begg.

THE MARINE PARADE HOTEL, Application for transfer from Lake Falconer to Marlon Nathan.

Mrs Hill said thsy had not yet had an explanation trom Mr Falconer, and she was proceeding with some farther remarks wben the Chairman said :—" I think, Mrs Hill, your remarks are quite out of place ; better wait nntll the application Is made." Inspector Emerson Bald Mrs Nathan bad been called away to Wellington that morning throngh illness ln ber family. The police had nothing to report against the house.

Mr Cresswell said be appeared for the interested parties. Mr Falconer was not present personally, but as bis counsel be appeared on his behalf In Bupport of tho appUoatlon. Mrs Hill : Tben tbe application will bo adjourned, Mr Cresswell did not see tho necessity of nn adjournment. Everything was In order. The police report was favorable, nod tbe application for transfer wns only formal. Mr Sutton -. I oan see no necessity for Mr Falconer's presence.

Mr Carnell : He must be present. Mr Cresswell : This is not an application for a license, bnt simply a transfer. Mr Carnell : I wont to prt Falooner In the box for examination. Mr Creßswell said Mr Carnell must bave some private reasons for wishing to put Mr Falconer In tbe box. Mr Falconer was not ashamed to go into the box lf there was any necessity for him to do so. Mr Carnell : lam not golDg to divulge any reason. Mrs Hill moved that the application be adjourned for Falconer's attendance. Mr Cranby could see no force in ud-

journing. Mr Carnell seconded Mrs Hill's motion, which was last, the mover and seconder and Mib Beßg only voting for it.

At this stage there were some asides (inaudible from the Press box) between Mr Sutton and Mr Carnell, the latter claiming tbe protection of the chair, and stating, " I am not going to be insulted by any man in doing what I consider to be my duty "

Mr Cranby could sco no necessity for Mr Carnell's remarks, and tbo Chairman called for the next business. OTHEK TRANSFERS. No objections were lodged against tho transfers of tho following:— Charles Siddells to John Dlnnaen, Waverley

I Hotel ; W. Perrln to P. Crarer, Exohange Hotel ; J. Brlggo to John M'Lennau, London Hotel; E, Smith to B. Crarer, Crown Hotel (Mr Lußk for latter appll cant).

! THE PROVINCIAL nOTEL. Mr Cresswell applied for a temporary transfer from P. Splllane to C. A. W. Hunt. In chla oaße, counsel explained, tliey wanted to know whether they bad to pay another £2 for a temporary transfer, that fee having been previously piid when tho lasb transfer was asked for. They now apked for another temporary license till Maroh. The Corporation Town Clerk had told him thore was no necessity for another £2 fee. Mr Carnell : You can't get a second [ temporary transfer, Mr Cresswell : The Court rules that you oon. Tbe license reverts back to Splllane, the temporary transfer having expired, Bnd Splllarifl now asks for a temporary t ran fer to Hnnt. Mr Turnbull : Splllane is now ln the same position ; the license reverts back to blm.

Mr Cranby moved that the applloatlon bo entertained, Mr Carnell contended tbat no resolution ot this Benoh could over, ride the Aot. The voting resulted 5 to 3 ln favor of Mr Cranby's motion; the noes being Mr Carnell, Mrs Hill, and Mrs Begg. Mr Turnbull: The ques bion now ls, that a temporary transfer be granted, Mr Carnell : Before you do that I wish to ask, on what grounds do yoa over-ride tbo Aot? Mr Turnbull: The application is in proper order. Mr Carnell : What's to pre -ent continual temporary transfers be! jr asked tor?

Mr Cresswell pointed out that the Aot gave them power to apply for a transfer from one quarter to another. The application for a temporary transfer was granted, counsel taking the ohalrman's suggestion that another fee of £2 be paid, nnd lt could be refunded afterwards, If necessary, A complaint.

Mra Hill said a resolution was passed at the last quarterly sitting that in future when there was any meeting of members of the committee and temporary licenses were granted tbe Press shonld be Bup piled with the particulars. She asked why this was not lone lv regard to the lost committee met* "<? at which temporary licenses were c- ,p ed? Mr SattOD, while proie'tinp against Mrß Hill's statement, said tbo Press had been supplied with the particulars, both

as news items and as advertisements. Mrs Hill : I refer to conditional lioenses, and I assert the iniormation wos nob given to the newspapers. I looked and I conldn't find lb.

Mr Turnbull said it wos nob the business of the Clerk of the Court to supply the newspapers with the business transootpd at tbe meetings, though tbe Press oonld alwoys get any information de« sired;

Mrs Hill : It is quite proper to supply the Information.

Mr Sutton : I don't know that Mra Hill should dlotate to the committee whab they should do. The committee passed a resolution, and It has been administered.

Mrs Hill : Thero is uo diotation whatever. I should like to ask what the members are here for? Is the condition ot the commlbtee tuoh that thoy oan't offer any suggestion Jor the benefit of the community ? What I have eaid has been on my own leaponslbility. I thlnfe Mr SuHcwM remsrks are very unpleasant, Mr Sutton : Mib Hill has no right to take up suoh an attitude. She is perfectly wrong. Two papers at least published tbo information which sbe says she didn't see. Ib is nob the business of tho Clerk ol the Court to run after tbe newspapers. The Chairman : Ib seems to me that tho resolution was a mosb curious one, aod totally unnecessary. The newspapers can easily get any information on apply> ing for it. Mrs Hill said lt was for the general benefit that she asked that this, information should be supplied ; she seemed to have been misunderstood.

Dr. Spencer said be wbb not present when the resolution was passed. It was nob tbe business of the Court to send ootloes to the newspapers, He moved that tho resolution be resolnded.

Mr Sutton seconded the motion, which was oarrled.

Mr Carnell confessed that he was snrprised at Mr Sutton, especially seeing that ladles were present. Mr Sutton ; Ob. Mr Turnbull: The motion is re* sclnded.

Mrs Hill : I am very sorry at your remarks, Mr Sutton. I don't think them nt all gentlemanly, Mr Sntton: I am sorry Mrs Hill's remarks are so unladylike, Mr Carnell : They are more fitted for a tap-room. The Benoh then adjourned.