NOVEL POSITION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 7

NOVEL POSITION

HOTEL LICENSE LAPSES. “NO ONE IN CONTROL.” Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., December 17. A novel case in connection with the license cf a local hotel was revealed at the adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee to-day. At the last sitting Mrs Robinson, who held a temporary license of an hotel, had been unsuccessful in having the license made permanent and sought to transfer it to D. Uoskin. The latter, however, had withdrawn, and as the temporary license expired at noon to-day it left, the police stated, no one responsible for the control of the hotel.

Counsel for the proprietor said the latter was willing to' take over the place and clear all matters up, but it was pointed out that as a matter of law the license would revert to the previous licensee if she returned to-day from Auckland, else it would lapne altogether. The previous licensee was willing to assist the parties in straightening out matters. The chairman said it would be best if the previous licensee did not come back as it would only complicate matters. “If she does not come back and no one is holding the license we cal! grant it t<> some other person.” [n the meantime it would appear that the hotel is “deserted” so tar as the license is concerned and no one has authority to sell liquor. The bench would take no action until counsel could state what was the actual position, whether the previous licensee returned in time to claim a reversionary license, or whether it lapsed altogether. In the latter event the chairman and two members of the committee could grant a license to someone.