LOCAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 37, 17 April 1866, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

LICENSING BENCH. This Day. The following magistrates sat this morning, to hear applications for publicans' licenses for Nelson, the suburbs, aud the country districts: — J. Poynter, Esq., R.M., chairman, Messrs. Barnicoat, Morse, Brunner, Oliver, Wells, J. Mackay, J. Mackay, jun., White, W. Adams, and Rough. The following applications were granted : — Town of Nelson. Robert Disher, Trafalgar Hotel. Charles Gentry, Wakatu Hotel. George Potter", Coach and Horses. John Lewthwaite, Criterion Hotel. John Jervis, Commercial Hotel. Henry Baly, Nelson Wine and Spirit Store. Joseph Trimble, Masonic Hotel. Charles M'Gee, Nelson Hotel. James Graham, Thistle Inn. Stephen Owens, Mitre Hotel. Eobert Carter, Lord Nelson. Joseph Porthouse, Royal Hotel. John Gagliardi, Geelong and "Ballaarat Hotel. Edward Everett, Bank Hotel. Hugh Corrigan, Miners' Arms. Jonathan Akrill Thornton, Victoria Hotel. Hugh Cottier, Anchor Inn. Stephen James Cusack, London Tavern. Henry Silvester Bush, Steam -boat Tavern. Frederick Stock, Custom House Hotel. James Noel Wilkinson, Albion Hotel. Henry Jasper, Pier Hotel. George Richardson, Golden Fleece Hotel. Joseph Edwards, Prince of Wales Hotel. John Whent, Prince Albert Hotel. James Saunders, Bush Inn. Thomas Martin, Rising Sun. William Wright, Ship Hotel. Charles Moore, Post Boy,

Country Districts. Newman Boseley, Bay View Hotel, Suburban North. Frederick Cundy, Turf Hotel, Suburban South. John Ryan, Plough Inn, Richmond. John Disher, Star and Garter Hotel, Kichmond. Thomas "Wm. Bcnfield, Wheat Sheaf Inn, Kichmond. Thomas Hudson, Red Horse, Richmond. Lucy Kite, White Hart, Richmond. Henry Hubbard, Elephant and Castle, Richmond. Alfred James Harman, Spring Grove. William Auty, Motueka Hotel. The application of Frederick Cundy, of Stoke, was for a new house, not yet erected. Mr. Kingdon, for the applicant, said it would be finished in about two months, and Mr. Harley, the proprietor, said it was his intention to prepare the timber in the autumn and put up the building in the spring. A discussion on the propriety of granting the license on these conditions resulted in its being granted, on condition the house be erected. In granting the application of John Disher, of Richmond, the Chairman said he had received a letter containing a complaint, but as the complainant was not present he should not withhold the license. Mr. Pitt, who appeared for the applicant, stated that Messrs. Harkness and Tasker were present at the occurrence referred to in the letter, and were now ready to show that Mr. Disher had reasons for acting as he did. The license was granted without further discussion. On George Lyne, of Motueka, applying for his license, Mr. Mackay, Native Commissiouer, rose and said he should like the applicant to be cautioned by the Bench before getting his license, as lie was in the habit of supplying liquor to the Maories. The applicant said the natives got the liquor from a private source and he was blamed for it ; he never sold them any, and could not help their getting drink. Mr. Poynter said it was presumed the liquor came originally from him, and if it was so proved his license would be taken away and a heavy fine would be inflicted on him. Mr. Mackay said there was a summons against the applicaut to appear at Motueka to-morrow. The license was consequently postponed. The Native Commissioner said he had the same objection to make iu the case of William Auty. His house had been better conducted of late, but it was very bad at the commencement of the year. The applicant denied the charge, and defied Mr. Mackay to prove it. He had never seen him give drink to the natives. Mr. Mackay replied that he had seen natives drunk at the house. Applicant said if he had, he brought them there. The license was granted, with a caution. A warm discussion took place among the Magistrates, on Mr. Kingdon's applying for a license for Mr. Eoseley, for the Bay View Hotel. He said it would be a great boon for the people of Nelson to find accommodation there, when going into the country. It was objected by a Magistrate that the place was too close to the town, the road narrow, ami liable to be obstructed, and the facilities for supplying drink to the Maories, already too great. A petition signed by about 20 persons was persented against license being granted. It was urged that the present inn was a sufficient terror to the married women of the district. Mr. White thought that accommodation was needed. Mr. Kiugdon presented a counter petition, which, he said half Nelson would have signed, had it been necessary. Mr. Rough thought some tea-gardens would be a greater boon to excursionists than an hotel. On the question being put to the vote, six Magistates voted for, and four against the license. It was, therefore, granted, on condition that Mr. Boseley put up a suitable house. The application by Mr. W. Wright, for a license for the Ship Hotel at the Port, was opposed by Mr. Pitt, on the ground, that there were hotels enough already at the port, and on the road, and that it was not fair to those who furnished excellent accommodation to be thus unnecessarily exjiosed to cempetition. Mr. Kingdon showed that the hotel would be conducted in a superior manner in proof of which he laid the plans before the bench. He also contended that the increase in the number of arrivals to the town, justified the increased accommodation now proposed. Mr. Poynter said, Mr. Wright, was always a good landlord ; the question

was, was the house necessary ? Capt. Rough said there were too many drinking houses already, without sufficient accommodation for travellers in the sleeping department. On inspecting the plans, and receiving a guarantee from the proprietor that a sufficient number of bed-rooms would be provided, Captain. Eou^rh withdrew his opposition. Mr. White said he would defy any publican to succeed without a tap ; and on returning late from the Council so solitary was the road that if a gun were fired off it would not hurt a soul (laughter). The license was granted by a majority on the usual conditions. The license of Alfred James Harman was petitioned against on the ground of the house bein" 1 too near to one now established. Seven magistrates voted in favor of the license, which was granted. Mr. Kingdon opposed the application. A petition, headed by the Bishop, was presented against the application of Mr. Percival. Mr. Pitt contended thai it was a substantial house, half way between Nelson and Stoke. Mr. Gardener supported the petition. A strong feeling was expressed by the Bench that the house was not necessary, and the application was refused. The applications of billiard licenses were postponed until to-morrow week.