THE NEW CRITERION.

NZ Truth, Issue 117, 14 September 1907, Page 6

THE NEW CRITERION.

The Law Takes Action.

The alleged mismanagement of the Nefw Criterion Hotel at Ohristchurch. came m for some drastic criticism m these _ columns' not long ago, and the Christchurch Licensing, Committee ordered ©nqaiiries to bo made by I>hb police. But the police were quite at fault], and it was stated 'toy the Sub-Inspector that 'they had been unable to collect any evidence 'winch would sutKS'tk'nitiatc the remarks pointed by, "Truth" m its torrid article- 1 All the same men. m uniform and m mufti, .strolled m and out of that pub both day and .night to see if there was any of the vaunted immorality discernable. As if anything would be likely to happen just then, under ,-I>he- circumstances. It is of little darned use sending policemen to a ranoh when they are expected, especially men m uniform. However, they have been moro careful and circumspect since then, and the result has been the presentation to '' the Licensing Bench of a red hot report about the. show. A notice was served on licensee Green, calling upon him to show cause why the license, issued m respect to 'his house shouldn't be cancelled, the ground being that it^ is being conducted m an improper manner. IT WAS 'A KNOCK, Lawyer Harper appeared for Green and' said that no particulars as to dates had been given and he desirod to have them. The objections were stated m. aome vague and general terms- Ho very pertinently pointed 'out that the pub stood to lose a lot, a-nd as the 'Act was pretty strong on the subject he desired ;iu adjournment. But he wanted a' whole month' adjournment, and caused considerable surprise. Why a month ■* was necessary. Harper didh?t make clear. He eventually knocked it down to a week. . The Act says no more than a fortnigbt.can be applied foi'- Counsel asked ?or dates^ once again, but whether he will be satisfied m this particular respect is for the police to say. Latter have acted on certain information, but it isn't, certain nohow .that they can give specific dates. The allegations are contained i® CgrtaJD Staipp.ts matfe 'to ithe

police by certain persons as to alleged red hot occurrences m the house.. It appears that three of the witnesses have been subpoened from a distance, and they will swear to certain happenings from late last year to early this year. The case will be taken on Friday (13th), ominous day,, at 2 p.m. Green says he is prepared to meet the charges, which arc of a grave character. A full report of the proceedings will appear In next week's "Truth."