Weekly Takings of Auckland Hotels

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 4

Weekly Takings of Auckland Hotels

EVIDENCE BEFORE LICENSING COMMISSION vPer Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 11. Opening the sitting of the * Royal Commission on Licensing this morning, Mr. H. F. O’Leary, K.C., representing the New Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association, expressed the opinion that licensees would not wish to have their evidence concerning balance-sheets and other confidential and private information made public. He considered that in many cases these witnesses' evidence would not be reported in full and consequently it could give a wrong impression to the public. He asked the Commission to give further consideration to th£ question of the type of information mentioned being given in public. ‘ ‘ Where specific charges are going to be made against a hotelkeeper or others we should be provided with details of the charges. Otherwise we are unable to meet the charges forthwith," stated counsel. He submitted that opportunity should be given for such charges to be met at once. Mr. Justice Smith said consideration would, be given, and meanwhile certain evidence would be held over. Cross-examined by Mr. K. Hardie Boys, representing the New' Zealand Alliance, William John Pritchard, licensee of the Shakespeare Hotel, said he banked weekly between £4OO and £SOO. Questioned by Mr. Boys and Mr. O’Leary about his earnings as manager, witness said that he was a traveller for Dominion Breweries and had been asked two years ago to take over the Shakespeare Hotel as temporary manager. That arrangement still " stood. His wife was paid separately for her work at the hotel and their joint earnings were now equivalent to £IOOO a year including board. Alexander Watt, manager of the Britomart Hotel, cross-examined by Mr. Boys, stated that the stock sheets show'ed that the turnover for the hotel for the week ending April 26 (a week of four days and Saturday owing to Anzac Day closing) was 1291 in gallons and in takings £7OB 10s 9d.