DIXIELAND LICENSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 12

DIXIELAND LICENSE.

NOTICE OF THE SUSPENSION. CABARET CLOSED YESTERDAY STATEMENT BY DR. RAYNER. PERSONAL ATTACK RESENTED. Notice of the suspension by the Auckland City Council of the license of Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier was yesterday served on the management, which forthwith gave instructions for the closing of the establishment to the public. Last evening the cabaret was in darkness, the gloom of the surroundings being in marked contrast to the usual brilliant lighting effects. News of the closing of tho cabaret had spread, for instead of the customary procession of motor-cars and buses to Point Chevalier there was practically no traffic on the road leading down to the beach. Tho license has been suspended for one calendar month and the cabaret will therefore be closed until September 20. Dr. F. J. Rayner, chairman of directors of Dixieland, Limited, said it was probablo an appeal would be made against the conviction of himself and tho manager of the cabaret, Mr. F. W. Proutirig, by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., on a charge of having permitted liquor to be consumed on the premises. Strong Objection to Liquor. Speaking of the decision of tho City Council to suspend the license for a month, Dr. Eayner said he agreed that the council had to take notice of the | Court proceedings, but he thought the suspension was rather drastic. Ho and the other directors of the company were quite in accord with the council that in enjoying the facilities the cabaret offered for 'healthful recreation no one must be allowed to take license for liberty. "I am an abstainer and have been so all my life and I object to liquor being taken to the'cabaret," Dr. Eayner continued. "Unfortunately some people have taken liquor there, but we intend to see that no one does so in the future. . We do not supply liquor and there is absolutely no incentive for us to do so or to encourage its use in the cabaret or the neighbourhood. "All the directors of Dixieland agree with me in this, and the measures we have under consideration should erect an effective barrier against anyone who attempts to take alcohol into the cabaret in the future. lam also of opinion that the enjoyment of a party is spoiled if a member of it becomes under the in-flueuce-of liquor." Origin of the Cabaret. Dr. Rayner said be keenly resented the introduction of a personal element into tho trMble. "Stime people appear to think thafc:- I am : Dixiehind, that it is wholly ' anil solely mine, and they irabft'all sorts of extravagant statements to tny charge," he said. Dixieland was a company, and his holding in it was no greater than that of any of thfc other four directors. Furthermore, he ha'd- not been tho sponsor of the cora- ■ panyv

Dixiel&Utl, • Dr. Raynor said; cams into 1 j being when premises he. owned in Queen Street were lying idle. A-Sydney busi-

ness man had noted the absence of a cabare&*m~Auckland, and had considered the premises could be used for the purpose. A company was promoted, and as the owner of the premises, he, Dr. Rayhad joined in the enterprise, a registered-company with a capital of £25,000 being firmed. The venture was successful, but with. the revival of ordinary trade it was found that more profitable, use could; b9 made of the and they were accordingly let. The of summer had also resulted in a falling off in the patronage, few people caring to. spend the hot afternoons and in such., a congested area as Queen Street. "It was then our intention to go out cf the" business ' altogether," Dr. Raynor saidy;: "but. we had lover £6OOO worth of plant in the way of cutlery, silver, China, etc., and when we tried to realise on it ■we found we could do js.o .only at a vary heavy: saerifico. We were then advised that a cabatot and refreshment rooms at one of the beaches would, bo well received, many people stating it would be' a great advantage* to Auckland to have a beach' resort where visitora coald rest ; on the. sands, bfitho, dance and , obtain refreshments just as the fancy took them. That is why we went to Point Chevalier. Expensive buildings were erected, and the patronage that has been given to all part's of thrt business is a sufficient 'tpjthose : who say such,an attractiori is . riot needed. " Proud of British Descent.

Dr. Raynor-also resented the insinuations'which he said had been made that he w as . an American, and that he was attempting to foist American notions of amusement on the people of New Zealand. "I have many American friends, for wh'om I have a very regard, but I am a Canadian," he said. "I am as much. British as'any of those who are seeking to attack mo personally, and among my most treasured possessions .is the diischatge 'of my father from - the army." _ \ This. document, a faded parchment, Dr. Raynor produced from his safe, the discharge testifying to the fact that Sergeant Samuel Raynor had served in the 12th Lancers, while in the space provided was the entry that_.it was a "very good" discharge; 1 In the" packet also were the medals awarded to Dr. P,aynor's father for service in tha Crimea and the Indian Mutiny. Dr. 'Rayner added that the directors of Dixieland, Limited, would give their support to any proposal designed to give the civic authorities greater control over places'of amusement than were at present conferred c.n them. "W,e want to keep pur place clean, we do not wan the riffraff of the community, and we will back up any movement th'at will assist us in doing that," he said.