HOTEL ACCOMMODATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 128, 2 June 1920, Page 5

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION.

DISABILITIES OF TRAVELLING PUBLIC. '

RE-SOLUTION Bl T WAIRAU i,ipK'N&L\TG COMMITTEE.

The following resolution was passed at tlie meeting of the Wairau Licensing Committee -yesterday: *; The Wairau Licensing Committeohereby resolves that the Minister bo asked to have section 76 of th» Licensing Act amended by omitting the wonts ' six rooms ' in the tilth lino, and substituting therefor tho words ' the number of rooms necessary i"or. the- accommodation of thetravelling having regard ta the requirements of the district, suck number to be specified by the Licensing Committee tor the district.''" _ Tiie resolution followed on a discusr sion arisng from a reference to the Royal iioiel (Blenheim), which was rebuilt recently after destruction by! tire. ■

Sergeant Clarksbn said that the police had no objection to the issue*of a new license, but ho .reminded the Committee that at a previous. meeting the question was raised as to the desirableness- of" licensing a ibuilding with such limited living accommodation for the public. Mr It. McCallupr,. who appeared for the applicant, said- that the licensee, himself would be very pleased to have a larger hotel, but- * he did not, of course, want to h& deprived of the license because of a. state of things ,for which he could not be blamed. Mr McC-allum went on to say that he only wished theCommittee would urge the Legislature to insist on the provision of adequate "hotel accommodation; though, of course, the question or compensation would come in as "a. responsibility to be faced in the eventof- prohibition being carried. It wasadmitted on all sides that there was a Serious shortage of hotel accommodation all over the country. The Chairman said that the Goinmittee was bound by the limits of the Act, which, he considered, were too restricted. He was bringing forward a resolution on the subject. Mr jVlcCallum said he would likento see the Committee go further still, and urge that 'large discretionary powers .should be. given Licensing Committees in regard to hotel rent* and other conditions as between ther owners and the licensees. The chairman said that perhaps Mr MeCallum, ap a member of Parliament, would1 be able 'to help tko committees in this way tco. ' Mr MeCallum. said ho would b» very glad to do so. , '

Mr Itayner held thfit the* Com- , mitteo should 'never; have granted »• 'Hotel,; considering its limited ? accommodation, ftir the travelling public. He thought. they )iad sufficient discretionary power, now to ...justify »■*- refusal. , '■•'".[ i \ -; ; J,./.,- ■ \:. ■■ ■' ■■ . The'chairman;, said he did riot think tliSr; powers'. Syeii^ -that 'far; ~:?;. , ■.. JNitf ! Jejlymah /• ;agrecd . ■with JSIr R/ayner. - ":Wfar-itime; difiilcultje^,! -^c.w naade the., e^cjase/lbut they; sixo^l4. !»V-. alipw t'hw;'Qx.cuse'?i9--'b,e...^erppt^ja^i, Me, felt ».dJLSgust,e4 \Vi.t4: k"\\ss!f:'' TOW, for'y<>ti|a{y i;orVsi§ license; 4t ;tiio timft, * i^a^^-to' seV' ■the- ! niist-ie" "repoat©d» Jt was a stfrtidiug I to the Confuntitee -that' it 'did not take xip a determined stand in the_'. naattpiv... IPifty yeara »ge»Bienheiin had betver hotel acciDin*" .^od^tion, than^^ it/pqssessed npY?/. . /■The "chairTnan ro>vatfid ta&±. eoittoitt^^iii^^^-^y^ th»- :. ofcottit©; - Tliei'Si;.WaS' ho valid o.b^sE- | tion to the continuance of the license.

It, was moved and seconded that*. - tho application bo granted. .Mr *?ayncr coved, and Mj Jelly 1 * sijcemkfl, nn .awi^ntcni tiiat the applicatlOfl he liela brer iill the nwt quarterly'meeting, nnd the flwner be / informed that,the Conittiittee required tl|c provision of additional acc^Simodation. ' ;■ ' The aniendment wa^^lost on tL* casting vote of ' the "chairman, the, division being as follows:—Ayes: Messrs,Rayner ? Jellyinan, and Oowlu. Noes: Hie chairman and Messrs Hjurfr ajid Maitland. Tlie original irfotion was earned, on the ,sanje division. ~ f Tlie^cpairman then brought forwaj^^ the motion' advocating an amendmeufc of iihe laWj and this the Committed earned unanimously.