AUCKLAND LICENSING COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12654, 7 September 1904, Page 7

AUCKLAND LICENSING COMMITTEE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Auckkud Licousins Committee was hold in the S..U. Court yesterday. Mr. Momfield. S.M., presided, and Messrs. A. RoSsef, Grave* Aickm, J. J. Craig and P. E. Obeal were also present. ~ . . Transfers: The following application* for transfers were granted :-Edtabutgh Castle Hotel, Symonda-street, Patrick Quinlan to William James Brewin (Mr. McVeagh); Clarendon Hotel, Queen-street William Lynch to Patrick Quintan (Mr. Nicholson); Railway Terminus Hotel, Beach Road, Daniel" Holland to Patrick Mahoiley (Mr. Singer); Fitzroy Hotel, akefield-street, John Welborn to William Edward McKay (Mr. McVeagh); Royal Hotel. Victoriastreet, Percy Isaac to John Morrison (Mr. Nicholson); Queen's Ferry Hotel, Vulcan Laoo, James Thomas Gray to Arthur Bach (Mr. Bortley): Thistle Hotel, Queen-street, Andrew Macklih Robertson to Charles Simich (Mr. Bailey). Criterion Hotel: The committee had ordered this hotel to be placed under surveillance for a quarter, and the police report stated that there had been ho indications of contravention of the licensing laws. The committee expressed its satisfaction and removed the surveillance. Queen's Head Hotel: The police reported that a high gate had been erected, as directed by the committee, and had proved efficacious in preventing "undesirables' frequenting the back portion of the premises. It was also reported that there had been a noticeable improvement in the conduct of the house, and bad characters were not to be found loitering about as they were for-

merly. Approved. Ventilation: The police submitted reports on the ventilation in the kitchens of various hotel premises. Tho ventilation at theThames and Waitemata Hotels was stated to have been improved upon, but was still somewhat poor. It was pointed out,_ however, that the kitchen being located in the cellars, further improvement was impossible without extensive alterations to the buildings. Similar reports were made in respect to tho Occidental, British and United Service Hotels. The reports were accepted by the committee as satisfactory. Swan Hotel: The police reported that necessary improvements suggested by the committee had been carried out, and the house was now in a satisfactory condition. Approved. Newton Hotel: The polico reported, as ft suspicious circumstance, that on July o (after closing hours) the licensee was seen to come out of the hotel with an intoxicated man, who created a disturbance, was arrested and convicted. Sub-Inspector Black told tho committee that the matter had been submitted to tho inspector of polico and the Crown Prosecutor, but the case was not considered sufficiently strong to justify proceedings being taken against the licensee. In the absence of the licensee, who had not received formal notice of the complaint, it was decided to defer consideration of the matter till tho next quarterly meeting of the committee Providing Conveniences: The lessees of His Majesty's Theatro and the tenants of the Arcade wrote protesting against the action of the licensees of the British and Metropolitan Hotels in interfering with the ready access to conveniences on their premises, on tho ground that the deprivation of the readv accessibility had created a nuisance to the petitioners. The committee was therefore asked to strictly enforce the provisions of the Licensing Act dealing with conveniences and accessibility. Mr. l. Cotter appeared for Mr. Lindsay Cooke, licensee of the Metropolitan, and Mr. May by for the petitioners. The police report stated that the conveniences were reasonably accessible. , . Mr. Blomfieid to Mr. Mayby: If it is a matter of public conveniences you .».°"™ go to the City Council. The complaint we want to hear is against the licensees. Sergeant Kelly stated the eity conveniences were totally inadequate. Mr. Aickin concurred with the sergeant i opinion, and it was decided to send » recommendation to this effect to the City Council. In regard to the petitioners comj plaint it was resolved to take no action.