NO HOSTELRY ON AUCKLAND QUAY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2313, 4 December 1925, Page 7

NO HOSTELRY ON AUCKLAND QUAY

Transfer of Motel Refused by Court TEMPTATION TO WATERSIDE WORKERS [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Last Night. In support of petitions against, the transfer of the Thames Hotel license, A. S. Whyte, with 20 years’ stevedoring experience, said an hotel on the waterfront would double the stove, dores’ anxiety. The men could not resist an hotel right under their noses, which they could visit without being missed. James Collins Glceson, owner of the new premises, and purchaser of the license, said he acquired the license and paid £3OOO for it. This money was paid to the Dilworth Trust Board. Mr MoVeagh: “Did you pay the £3OOO to the Board?” Witness: "Legally, I ” Mr McYeagh: “No, I put to you a plain question. It is a questloh of fact.” Mr Glceson: “I paid £OOO down." Mr MoVeagh; “If removal is not granted, you will get back the fOOD," Mr Glceson; “I hope so, but I am not sure of that.” Witness said he agreed to give £23, 000 for the new premises, and had already paid over £3OOO. He was legally bound to complete the purchase. Mr MoVeagh; “Are there others interested in.this venture?” Mr Gleeson: "Am I bound to sa? so?” Mr Cutten, S.M.: “You need not answed these questions, but you may be criticised by Mr McVeagh.” Mr Gleeson then stated that he alone was interested in the concern, and his money alone was invested Ic it. In reply to Mr Finlay, witness Gleeson said the renovation of the building would cost £IO,OOO, and he was already committed to an expendlture of £SOOO for furniture. Alexander Smith, master mariner, In charge of the stevedoring operations of the Now Zealand Shipping Company for eight years, supported Captain White’s evidence that an hotel on the waterfront would lower the efficiency of labour on the waterfront. Ho had had experience of the pillage of cargo at Aucknlnd, and said the last big case was on a Friday night. The rnon, he deposed, wore under the Influence of liquor “I certainly expect stevedoring troubles to be emphasised if a licensed house is established in this position,” he said. Under cross-examination, he said that trouble existed now, but it would be aggravated. John Norman Jones, manager of the Shipping and Stevedores’ Association, and secretary of the local Disputes Committee .also supported the objection to the establishment of a Quay street hotc.l Mr Finlay (to Mr McVeagh): “You seem to have a good deal of Scotch, men among your witnesses.” Mr McVeagh: “So much the worse for you. They are reputed to be fond of whisky!” On being examined by Mr MnVeagh, witness said that four hundred tally clerks and two hundred carters were employed on the Auck;on.' wharves daily. Cargo was often stacked close to the end of the Queen’s wharf, and it would bo an easy matter to cross the road to the proposed hotel. From the experience ho had had, he was convinced that a waterfront hotel very much increased drinking.

George Finn, manager of the N.Z. Cattle Cake and Oil Coy., and Phillip Stanley Wallis, of the Arm of Watkin and Wallis, both considered the proposed hotel a backward step for Quay street. It would encourage a class of loungers or idlers to congregate in the street and as women and children had to pass along there on their way to the shipping offices and to the excursion steamers, that was undesirable.

Thomas Bowie, secretary of the Westfield Freezing Coy., said that frozen cargo must be handled smartly and efficiently to prevent any deterioration in its quality. Delay from any cause would result in perishable cargo being sent back to the works to bo reconditioned.

John McDougall, chief stevedore of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Coy., gave evidence that he had often experienced trouble with his men on account of drink, especially on pay days. Mr McVeagh: “Oh, pay day seems to be the standing rule." On being pressed by Mr Finlay to give the number of men who had been under the influence of liquor, witness said he had perhaps dismissed two men in the past month. Much other evidence against the removal of the license was given. Mr Finlay said a good many waterside workers had got wind of the fact that allegations were being made against them in evidence. One of them had come along to make a statement and he asked permission for him to do so. Nicholas Sanders, waterside worker, said the men complained that a slur had been cast on them. Speaking for himself, it seemed an absurdity to suggest that a new hotel would increase drinking. "It will be a blessing in many ways, this new hotel,” he said. "We have a bit of lunch and instead of a cup of tea, some of us have two handles of beer. We will not have so far to go and will have more time to bask in the sunshine.” (Laughter). The committee, after an hour’s adjournment, announced it had decided to refuse the application for the removal of the license to Quay street on the ground that licensed premises were not required in the neighbour-

hood. The application for the renewal of the license was adjourned until December 13. Sub-Inspector Rawle, licensing officer, objected, saying that he agreed with Mr McVeagh that there was no license in existence.