The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 1883. INTERPRETATION OF THE LICENSING LAW.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 240, 12 September 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 1883. INTERPRETATION OF THE LICENSING LAW.

It "is" prositively refreshing at times tb hear. Justices of the Peace, or even Licensing Commissioners expoundiug the law. Yesterday, for instance, a peculiar decision was given by the Licensing Commissioners, who sat to hear tho application for an extension of the temporary transfer of the license for the Princess Hotel. Mr Haultain, the Clerk of the Court, who is Trustee m Mr Weight's estate, until the appointment of a trustee by the creditors, opposed the application of the Brewery Company, on the grounds that such application would have to come from him as trustee. This objection was conclusively proved by Mr Hankins to be perfectly legal and reasonable, but the bench decided to grant the application, at the same time stating that they were mainly guided by the wording of the 101 st Section of the Act, which reads as follows :— "ln the case of the insolvency of a licensed person, or where any licensed person is adjuged a bankrupt, or his affairs are liquidated by ai ran cement betore the expiration of his license, his assignees or trustee may by an agent specially authorized m writing by the Chairman or any two members of the Licensing Committee, carry on the business of such licensed person, until the next quarterly meeting of the Licensing Committee and no longer. At such next quarterly meeting the Licensing Committee may authorise such agent to carry on the bnsiness for

a further period not exceeding 3 months, m case the insolvency or bankruptcy has recurred within the 3 weeks immediately previous to such meeting." How the Commissioners were " mainly guided '' by this Clause m granting the application must be a puzzle to ordinary minds ; but we presume they are elected to interpret the law as occasion demands, and not according to the strict reading.