PATEA LICENSING COMMITTEE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 December 1920, Page 4

PATEA LICENSING COMMITTEE

ADJOURNED MEETING

The adjourned meeting of the Patea Licensing Committee was held in tfte Bawera Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs T. A. B. Bailey, S.M. (chairman), W. K. Wallace, E. Dixon, C. J. Hawken, E. A. Pscey. The application of Mrs M. C. Gib-: son for a renewal of the license in re-j spect to the Royal Hotel was further i considered. Mr G. H. Ryan appeared for the licensee and Mr Crocker for th» owners. Mr Whit Faker, builder, who gave evidence previously regarding an inspection of the building, was crossexamined at length by Mr Crocker. Counsel outlined proposed alterations and recommendations, and witness said that if these were carried out the building would be a serviceable and. useful one for probably 10 to 12 years.. Counsel mentioned that a portion oi the roof was being renewed, and that it was proposed to improve the lighting of the dining room, and also to effect other repairs which would give the building a new lease of life. Ow-! ing to the heavy cost of building materials, etc., it was practically impossible for the owners to rebuild at present. If the committee insisted upon it he would be in a better position to do this in three or four years' time. Sergt. Henry gave evidence that he had made an inspection of the building in company with Mr Coleman, an officer of the Health Department. The building was in a bad state of repair. The chairman, in reply to Mr Crocker, said the Committee would like- to see the old portion of the house lebuilt. Mr Crocker considered that this v/as hot practicable with the present prices of timber and labour. j The Committee retired to consider j the matter, and upon resuming the chairman announced that the committee had decided that certain repairs would have to be effected, which were erumerated. The application would be •adjourned for a further three months. In reply to Mr Ryan, the chairman said the Committee would give a certificate regarding the license. The application for the renewal oi; the license in respect to the Kaka-. ramea Hotel, adjourned from the previous sitting, was further considered. Constable Armour' stated that the conduct of the hotel had greatly improved, particularly during the last three months. To Mr Ryan: The licensee was making a big endeavour to run a good house, and was doing his best in this direction, Mr Ryan: The licensee was realiy on probation? Witness: Yes. The chairman «aid the Committee had decided to extend the granting ot the application, for a further three months.