LICENSING MATTERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 305, 9 December 1931, Page 4

LICENSING MATTERS

H.B. COMMITTEE MEETS. I PROTEST AGAINST REHABILI- I TATION DELAY. The adjourned annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Licensing Committee was held at the Hastings Courthous. to-day, when Mr. A. M. Mowiem, S.M . presided. Associated with him were Messrs J. D. Donovan, Koster Brook, F. C. Wilkinson and F. King. Cuthbert L. Crooks made application fqr a license for the Grand Hotel, 1 Hastings. Counsel said that the applicant was . still awaiting a reply from the Re- . habilitation Committee. The matter was adjourned until : MSrch 2. i Patrick F Higgins was granted a i license for the Pacific Hotel, Hastings. I Allan H. McCarthy applied for a ■ renewal of his license for the Mohaka I Hotel. Counsel said that plans of the proposed new building were completed, and were before the Rehabilitation Committee for consideration in an ap' plication for relief. The matter was adjourned until March 2. A similar application by J. A. Moffatt for the Te Pohue Hotel was adjourned. Counsel made the same plea, saying that the applicant was awaiting on the reply of the Rehabilitation Committee. Tho chairman: It seems to me that the Rehabilitation Committee has a habit of turning these things down. Counsel; So far that has not happened to tho applicants. “I sometimes wonder if the Rehabilitation Committee is of any benefit to the licensed victuallers,” said the chairman. “It has a fatal habit of turning things down. All we met at Napier was that various applications were being considered. Our real concern is what will happen if the Rehabilitation Committee, in each of the cases now before us, turn tho applications down? Where does this committee como in with regard to the public? It -is realised that there is a depression and that it is difficult to get outside finance, but are the applicants merely resting on their oars, waiting for the decision of the Rehabilitation Committee?” Counsel said that two of the applicants but one were seeking along other channels. “How long are these temporary bars going to exist?” asked tho chairman. “It is now 10 months since the earthquake, but nothing appears to have been done.” Counsel: The licensees are not culpable. Tho chairman: I am not suggesting that they are. What about the public? This committee has a duty to the public. Unless some haste is made then there is a possibility that the applicants will not get their licenses. This committee cannot stop other people coming in if they want to. It seems to me to be a case of making haste very slowly.