LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 3

LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

AUCKLAND NORTH.

THE EAGLE HOTEL LICENCE RENEWED.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Auckland North Licensing Commissioners was held yesterday at noon, at the Resident Magistrate's Court. 'Messrs. J. P. King (chairman), J. Winks, T. T. Masefield, J. J. Craig, and J. J. Holland were present on the Bench, Sergeant _ Pratt represented the police. The Commissioners spent sometime m discussion in committee before opening the meeting. Eagle Hotel (Albert and Durham streets). —Daniel O'Connor, licensee. This was an application for renewal of a license, and the consideration of which had been deferred. Dr. Laishley appeared for the applicant, and said that this wasa case of very great hardship, and the refusal of the license would prove of very serious consequence to the licensee, really ruining his property and depriving him of his livelihood. Mr. O'Connor was a very old gentleman, some 70 years of age, and the loss of his license would press very hardly upon him. Mr. King said the committed had taken this into consideration, and they felt with Dr. Laishley that hard* ship would result were the license taken away. They had therefore decided to grant a renewal of the license for the ensuing twelve months, on condition that the house be well conducted; but at the end of that term, if the present committee remained in office, the license would not be renewed. - Dr. Laishley contended that the question of again granting a renewal of the license should be left open until the present term had expired, and should be subject to discussion at that time. With respect to the other remarks of Mr. King he (Dr. Laishley) claimed that the hotel had been well conducted in the past. Mr. King ; We admit that. Our opinion is that the hotel is not wanted ; that it represents a past age, and that there are other notels around about it of a better character.

Gleeson's Hotel (Hobson and Customs streets).— Zeigler, licensee. This was a similar application for a renewal of license, and the decision in this case had also been deferred from the previous sitting. Mr. S. Hesketh appeared on behalf of the owner, Mr. P. Gleeson, and referred to a notice, which had been forwarded to the latter intimating that certain improvements would have to be made. He contended that al) the alterations therein referred to would not be required, and the owner should not therefore be put to the expense of having them done, After some discussion as to the alterations necessary, Mr. King said the committee ruled that Mr. Gleeson would have to make the hotel thoroughly habitable and complete, whilst the sanitary arrangements must be perfected to their approval in three months, and they would give nine months' time to the owner to add another storey to the hotel. Mr. Hesketh asked that twelve months be granted in which to complete the improvements, and the committee, after discussion, said that if the brick-work were finished in nine months, ample time would then be available to complete the improvements by the next annual meeting, WAINUI. The annual meeting of this committee was held at the Wade on Saturday, June 9. Present: Messrs. Elias (chairman), McCathie, Lees, Lambert, and Foley. Sergeant Gillies represented the police. A renewal of license was granted to C. W. Fenton for the W wera Hotel, and to Michael Lennan for the Wade Hotel. Thomas Evans applied for a renewal of his accommodation license for the Lucas Creek Hotel. The police had no complaints to make, but suggested a few repairs. Mr. Stephenson, owner of the house, presented a petition in favour of renewal, out being unattested it was not received. . Mr. Volkner presented a petition against the renewal signed by forty residents, most of whom live near the hotel. Being sworn, Mr. Volkner deposed that neither he nor the petitioners bore any ill-feeling towards the licensee. They simply wanted to get rid of a freat nuisance. The house was not required. t had caused the peace of the district to be broken by drunkenness. Two settlers had suffered loss by fire in consequence of drunken men. He hoped in the interest of sobriety, decency, and good order the committee would not force a publichouse on an unwilling people. Mr. Elias (chairman) said he did not doubt the truth of Mr. Volkner's statements. There was no doubt the drink traffic was a nuisance to the country, but he thought the licensee should have another chance. It was, therefore, resolved that the license be granted on condition that certain repairs be made, the committee reserving the right to cancel the license during the year should tht house be conducted in a disorderly manner.--[A Correspondent.]