STOPPAGE OF THE WOODEND HOTEL LICENSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1092, 29 April 1863, Page 5

STOPPAGE OF THE WOODEND HOTEL LICENSE.

TO TJIE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —In your issue of Saturday last, I find in your report of the meeting of Justices for hearing applications for public house licenses, that, in reference to the hotel at Woodend, " The Bench, at the first hearing, had doubts as to the propriety of renewing the license. The Chairman said, owing to the reports against the house for supplying liquor to the Maoris, who were numerous in that locality. Since last licensing day there had been two convictions against the house for supplying natives with grog; and since the license had been given to the house, the Maoris had markedly deteriorated in character. They were constantly seen prowling about the house, labouring under the influence of drink. The inference was obvious that they obtained the drink there." As my name appears in connection with this report, I feel bound, in justice to myself, to observe that during the time I have been part owner of tlie House (now some five or six months) no single instance has occurred to warrant the inference drawn by the Bench as quoted above. I am enabled to give a distinct contradiction to the assertion that Maoris " were constantly," or ever, " seen prowling about the house laboring under the influence of drink." They have never been encouraged in any way to come near the premises. There has been but one conviction against the house for supplying grog to the natives, and this through the heedlessness of the then barman, who was fined, and Mr. Hinge punished by having to pay the fine. So far as I know, this is the only complaint against the house; and it certainly appears strange that a man should be condemned and possibly ruined, upon avowed " reports" and " inferences." I am your obedient servant, EDW. W. TIPPETS. Woodend, April 27, 1863.