A LICENSING DEADLOCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9491, 13 August 1891, Page 6

A LICENSING DEADLOCK.

{.Pee Pbbss Association.] THAMES. August 12. t Some time ago a licensing block occurred here in consequence of the Native Assessor (Taipari) refusing to grant a renewal of the licenses of three hotels in the Kirikiri Native Licensing District on the ground that the liquor was causing a great amount of harm to the Natives. The Licensing Committee adjourned the meeting to see if ‘ satisfactory arrangements could be made between the parties concerned, two of the licensees being Europeans and one a Native. An attempt was then made by one of the European licensees to get bis hotel cut from the Native Licensing District, but the matter has not yet been settled by Government. In the meantime an adjourned meeting of the Commissioners toot place, but the Native Assessor remained firm to bis resolution. The meeting was further adjourned in consequence of a definite settlement not having been arrived at with Government. It was understood, however, that the next adjournment will be the last* and the question of closing the three hotels would be finally settled by the Bench. A meeting was to- have taken place to-day, but only two of the Com-, mittee weroin attendance, and, there.being no quorum,'the meeting could nob be held. One of the Committee present wanted the 'matter further adjourned- for a fortnight,, but Mr Burgess, clerk to the Committee, maintained that, in accordance with the law, the next meeting would have to be -called each day in succession until a quorum was present. It is reported here that the three members who absented themselves from the meeting did so on purpose, so that the meeting could not be held until the application made to Government is settled, which it is expected to be in a few days. ____________