LICENSING COMMITTEES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10597, 5 March 1895, Page 3

LICENSING COMMITTEES.

CHRISTCHURCH. The quarterly meeting cf the Christchurch Lhsnsing Committee was held at tho Magistrate’s Court at neon yesterday; present—Messrs R. Beebham," (chairman), W. Langdown, P. Trent, T. Gapes, E, Smith, J. C. Maddison, R. M’Lenuoa, and Captain, M’Olatchie. Inspector Broham appeared for the police. The police report oil the hotels ia .tho district was satisfactory. The following transfers wero grantedWaltham Arms Hotel, A, J. Sparks to T. Meyor; Rotherfiold Hotel, J, S. Conway to C. Deal, Mr Loughrey for applicant; Shades Hotel, F. Fletcher to T. Broadway, Mr Cassidy for applicant; Southern Cross Hotel, O. F, Money to T. Yarr. This waa all the business. KAIAPOI. The quarterly meeting of tha Kaiapoi Licensing Committee waa held yesterday ; present—Messrs Bichop (chairman), Isaac Wilson, X'homaa Wilson,'.,W. Turner, H. Seed, A. D. Hasssll, W. Harrison,■ G. Wallace and W. H. Foster. The police reports ware good, with the exception of those in respect of the Junction and Plough Hotels. Constable Johnston made complaint of both these houses being lighted up after hours, the former on Doc. 24 aud the latter on Dee. 31. When asked if they had any explanation to make, Mr H, E. Bailey said he would like to know in what position he stood by offering any explanation; The Chairman explained his position, whereupon tho licensee offered no explanation, but Mr Scott said that he did not consider there was any charge to answer at all. Ho maintained that on an occasion (inch as Christinas Eve a publican was allowed some little liberty when there was a town full of strangers. Ho considered he was bound by. tho law to give refreshments to any bona fide travellers, and he would like to call tho police to say whether this complaint would have been made but for a threat made ia llangiora by tho Rev P. R. Monro at a temperance mooting. The Chairman said that neither the police nor anyone else connected with tho law had any right to taka the least notice of any threats held out to them so long os they did thoir duty. The committee then adjourned to consider tho applications, and on returning the chairman said that the application for & transfer of the license of the Masonic Hotel, South brook, from tha Official Assignee to Mrs Caroline.Pearsley had been granted. An application for tho transfer of license from John Dawdle to Thomas Eessoigh for tho Terminus Hotel, Oxford, waa postponed for inquiry as to the ’applicant’s character, according to law, the chairman informing applicant that a permit would bo granted forthwith on tho satisfactory I result of the inquiry. A temporary permit wasqrantedtoLooaard Thompkins to carry on tho business of his late father at tho Royal Hotel, Wcodond, but the applicant was advised to secure another tenant before the annual meeting. With respect to the Plough and the Junction Hotels, tho applications were adjourned for farther quiry[Per Press Association."! INVERCARGILL, March, 4. At the quarterly meeting of the Invercargill Licensing Committee to-day, a point of some importance cropped up. Tho transfer of the license of the Gladstone Hotel was applied for. The police had no objection to tha proposed licensee, but five prohibitionist members voted against tha confirmation of the temporary license already granted. The other two members urged that those who voted against the transfer should steto their reasons for so doin'g. Tho Rav MrWooHaes r-aid there was nothing in the Act cobpelliug 'them to give reasons for any vote. The chairmen, Hr Rawson, S.M., arid there was nothing in any judicial ©aactmeßt- giving power to arbitrarily refuse any application without hearing tho other , side. Eminent legal authorities had in a large number of ca-ies interpreted the word “may” to mean “must.” One of the minority moved an adjournment for ten days. Tho, Chairman said it waa imperative when an appointee was objected to that an adjournment : should ho made ia accordance with Section G 3 of tho Licensing Act, 1881, in order that the person effected might have an opportunity of replying. The Rev Mr Wcollass replied that it bad nob been stated that there waa an objection. The Chairman retorted that if there was no objection the committee had no burinesa to refuse the transfer. It had no right to let ■ the license lapse in .an arbitrary manner. The Rev Mr Woollass said it appeared that the committee had no discretionary power. Tho Chairman replied that it had no arbitrary discretion,; it had discretion, hut not arbitrary power. If tha committee would not follow his ruling, ho would leave the Dench, when the members coil'd appoint their own chairman, »atl do as they liked. The motion for adjournment was then carried, the Chairman ruling that the proposed licensee must be informed,of the reasons for objecting to him,