Licensing Court.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7714, 7 December 1903, Page 5

Licensing Court.

Central and Railway Hptels

Action by the Committee

New Premises Required

The quarterly meeting of tho Pa'insrBton North Licensing Commutee wa« held at noon to-day. There were, preBent—Messrs A. D. Thomp-ori, »-.M. (Chaieman), W. Beck, W. T. Wood, A Jack; and (i. "W. Havenhill. TRANSFERS.

Junction Hotel, Longburn—E. Shcrratfc to J. Dalrymple. Mr Junes for the applioaut.—Granted.

Princess Hotel, Temco End— R. W. Ba ford to G, J. Barford (Mr Innes}.-— Granted.

REPORT.

Sergfc. Stagpoole submitted his u»uil report. Wittr two exceptions the whole of the houses in town were well conducted and were in a good state of repair Tho exceptions referred to were the Central and Railway Hotels. Dauling whb. the former, Sergt. Stagpoolo declared it to be a little old building that required to be replaced by one of such a description as made it fit for the town. It was an old house similar to those seen in the back blocks or reminds one of an olden time bush shanty. The rooms were too small and were very dark. . The house had. no doubt, served its time when Palmerston was a bush township, but that time htici gone and it should be replaced with a new up-to-date hotel.

Mr Innes, on behalf of the landlord, Mr Anderson, said his client appreciated the report v.nd hoped it would have some effect upon the committee. The house, no doubt, was an old one, and was not suitable fir the business Mr Anderson desired to do. He was anxious a new building should be erected and was willing to pay an increased, but at the same time, fair rent. Mr Innes said he understood the owner had had plans of a new bouse prepared in anticipation of rebuild ing at some time.

Dealing with the Railway Hotel Serf»t. Stagpoole likened it also to a bush shanty, not the sort of hotel one would expect to find in Pal-nerstou. Its worst feature, however, was . the bugs with which it was infnsted. This was no new matter to the Licensing Committee, as it had been mentioned by Mr Snelson some years ago. Sergt. Swgpoole considered a new house should be erected.

Mr Hui-ley appeared ou behalf of the licensee, Mrs Todd, and pointed out her lease had still 16 months to run, and she had her all.. £1200, invested in the hotel. He denied that the house was old. pointing out us age had bpen stated in.evidence to be between 11 and 12 years, and necessary repairs to the house were in the hands ot a contractor. Counsel read a letter from Mr A. Francl, contractor, explaining that scarcity of labour was the sole reason that the work had not been done. As to the business, counsel said, the matter had been gone into previously and evidence heard on the subject which had, apparently, satisfied the com. mittee there was not very much in the complaint. The licensee was a capable woman, conducted her house properly and kept it in good repair, having spent £70 upont it since she took it, and he thought it would be hard to transfer her to a shanty while the new house was be-' ing built.

Mrlnnes, on behalf of the owners. Staples and Co., pointed out the prtsent unsatisfactory state of the licensing laws .vhich left it an open question wh'ther valuable buildings might not have to be left on. their owners' hands practically valueless on any day. Had it not been for .this, no doubt the present case would not have come into court. His clients would, in the meantime, like some expression, of opinion from the committee as to whether a new house -was, under tho circumstances, necessary, or if the hotel could not be made as required by alterations and additions. In the present state of the licensing law it was certainly a hardship to have- to erect a new house.

The committee then retired to consider both matters and on returning the chairman said that as to the two hotels the committee recognised that, at a quarterly meeting they had no power to cancel a license; that must be done at the annnal meeting. At the present time it was sufficient to give intimation to the owners and licensees of these two hotels that new premises were reqiured, and the rommittee will be prepared to inspect plans and specifications at the March meeting if submitted to them. The committee also desired the Inspector to report at the March meeting upon the state ot tho kitchens in the hotels, some of them being of opinion they were not kept as clem as (hey should be kept. Keplying to Mr Hurley as to it being necessary to carry out the alterations previously ordered for the Railway Hotel, in the face of to-day's decision, the Chairman said the house would have to be kept m proper and safe repair for the public.

The meeting then adjourned