A LICENSING FIGHT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 12

A LICENSING FIGHT.

The first meeting of the new Onslow Licensing Committee was held attheKaiwhara Town Hall on Monday, there being present— Messrs W. Cook (chairman), W. Bergin, John Holmes, Cameron, and W. Littlejohn, Renewals were granted to Susan Manson (Oltib Hotel) and John Lynoh (Rainbow Hotel), the police reporting favourably on both houses. Mr Devine applied on behalf of Mr Lynoh for three months’ leave, Mrs Annie Dwyer’s name to be substituted. This was granted. Michael Hodgins applied for a now license for a house at the junction, to be called the Esplanade Hotel. Mr Skerrett appeared in support of the application. Mr Joseph Holmes attempted to hand in a petition which, he said, was “ signed by nearly all the ratepayers.” but was stopped by Mr Skerrett, who objected to it being put in. Mr Holmes then handed in a letter, to which Mr Skerrett also objected, but which was eventually read by the members of the committee and Mr Skerrett. It appeared that the letter (which objected to the license being granted) was from Mr L. Stowe, and it was characterised by Mr Skerrett as “monstrous.” Mr Littlejohn said Mr Stowe had told him that a petition in favour of the license was signed by many persons outside the district. The oommittee decided not to receive the petition. Mr Michael Hodgins was then sworn, and deposed that the new house would contain 19 rooms and would be completely furnished. The back part, to which objection had been taken, would be pulled down at some subsequent stage. By the Chairman : The hotel was not quite completed, Mr D. Mahoney, architect, gave evidence as to the proper construction of the house and the complete, ness of its accommodation. Any unsound wood, iron, or ether material in the back part would be replaced, and the building would practically be a new one, with better accommodation than many of the hotels in Wellington. Owen MoArdle deposed to the necessary preliminary formalities having been observed, Mr Skerrett agreed that the Committee should, if tbey thought fit, make it a condition that the back part of the building should be pulled down. Mr Joseph Holmes objeoted to the license being granted, on the grounds that another hotel was not wanted, and that as there were a number of young women coming home from work in town at night they would be in danger from ail the loafers in Wellington assembling at the hotel. He complained that the petition iD favour of the license had been “hawked about” by a member oi the Committee. Mr Skerrett submitted that the Committee should deoide the case judicially, and apart from any principles or preconceived ideas members might have. He cited authority in support of this contention, and

submitted that the hotel would be a great convenience. He also contended that the local option poll on Saturday practically decided that this license should be granted. Being interrupted by Mr Holmes, Mr Skerrett informed that gentleman that he must not use intemperate language, that “ he must abstain . not only from beer but also from other things. ” As a farther ground, Mr Skerrett said the old Licensing Committee assured Mr Hodgins that the license would be granted, and on the strength of that the house was built.

The Committee ooDsidered the matter in private, and when the hall was reopened the Chairman said : “ Gentlemen, the license is refused.”

The Chairman, and Messrs Littlejohn and Holmes voted against the application, and Mr Bergin and Mr Cameron for it.