QUARTERLY LICENSING COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11005, 8 March 1899, Page 6

QUARTERLY LICENSING COURT

Yesterday, in the Magistrate's Court, the quarterly meeting of the Auckland Licensing Court took place, there being present: Messrs. H. W. Brabant, B.M. J. J. Craig, J. T. Julian. J. Paterson, and C. Wright. ~ , „ . Transfers were granted in the foUcnvuig cases -United Service Hotel. G. B. Howard, to Martin Ryan; Carpenters' Arms Hotel. S. J. Smith, to J. Nixon. REPORT BY THE POLICE. The police reported that the hotels were clean and well furnished. They complained with regard to the Anchor, Clarendon Carneuters' Arms, Governor Browne. Market, SoWs Hotels, that on certain occasions, when visits had been made to these homes, that there were indications Of tradins after hours, which was contrary to the promises made Thy the licensees when the closing hour was extended to eleven p.m. Sergeant Clarke said these reports were furnished by the police in accordance with a circular issued hv the clerk of the Court. Whatever was stated in the report.just.read they had evidence to prove "f the CommitShould we have the evidence n °Mr ? W. J. Napier: I suppose you will hear the answers from the licensees referred to, Mr. Chairman. „, ~ „ „»„i- ---' The Chairman; The police are merely making the statutory report. Mr Napier: But they have no statutory power to slander people. If an allegation is made, we ought to be allowed to answer it otherwise the Committee may form opinions upon what are not facte. Mr Paterson thought they should hear the ovidence from those charged. Mr. Julian: Perhaps it would be better to do that at the annual meeting. Mr. 0. 'Nicholson said* as representing one of the hotels referred to, he thought an opportunity to answer should be allowed. Mr. Napier said his client only heard of the adverse report in his case by telephone that morning, and then it was three months

Mr. Baume said as no absolute, defined charge had been made, would it not be as well to notify those who had been mentioned that if further similar charges were made before the annual meeting they would be dealt with at that sitting. The Committee than retired to consider the matter, and upon returning into Court the Chairman said: With regard to the police report that has been read, the Committee hag' instructed the clerk of Court to inform the licensees complained of that the allegations contained in the report will be considered at the next annual meeting. The Committee wish me to say, further, that if at the annual meeting the Committee nave reason to believe that the assurances which were made to them about Sunday and afterhour trading have not been adhered to. as they have reason to suspect by this report, they propose to revert to the ten o'clock licenses, which were in force before the assurances were given. FIRE ESCAPES. Sergeant Clarke submitted a circular from the Commissioner, suggesting additional precautionary measures in the shape of fire escapes from each bedroom in the hotels. Mr. Baume said if the Committee would point out what was required it would, if possible, be done. He thought that even now no city in New Zealand was better provided with fire escapes. Mr. Julian said fixed iron ladders were the best thing. , , , . . , Mr. Wright considered the hotels in Auckland were well supplied with fire escapes. Mr. Brabant said in Wellington some hotels had a rope at each bedroom, but he did not think any woman could get down it in case of fire. Sergeant Clarke said the Commercial Hotel had a rope for each window. He said the inspector had also asked him to mention the question of hotel lamps being extinguished after hours. The public arriving late had great difficulty in finding where the hotels were located, and the darkness also favoured burglary. The Chairman said both matters could be considered at the annual meeting.