MOUNT IDA LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13007, 23 June 1904, Page 4

MOUNT IDA LICENSING COMMITTEE.

(From Onn Own Correspondent.)

NASEBY, June 22.

The adjourned annual meeting of the ■ Mount Ida Licensing Committee, held on Tuesday afternoon, and attended by Messrs .T. M'Ennis, S.M. (chairman), Robert Inder, and dames Mitchell.

Tlio application, of Thomas Buckley for a license for a house, at Livingstone was called, llr Hjorring appeared for applicant, and Mr Kirk for 89 residents of Livongstciie to object.—Mr Kirk submitted that the lieenso should not be granted 1 because the residents had shown very clearly they did nbt desiro licensed premises. In 39C2, at Maerewheiiua, four mile? from Livingstone, there voted for contimiaiiL'3 8, for no-licenso 45; while tlio same year for Livingstone itself there voted for continuance 39, for no-license. 72. A petition signed by 89 residents of Livingstons, was before the committee, and although there was a counter one, tlm latter was mainly supported by persons outside of Livingstone altogether. In 1893, when reduction was carried, the house lost its license, the then heneh evidently considering that of all the licenses this one could, bo best dispensed with. Regarding tlio public convenience, more business was done in Livingstone 10 years ago thati now. Livingstraw was two miles oil' the Alain road, and tlio present unlicensed accommodation was ample for the small number of travellers to Livingstone. Licensed premises existed at Duntroon, eight miles away, where most of the business was transacted. He submitted, further, that the house was not in a. fit state to l>c licensed, being ill a bad state of repair. Mf Kirk also referred to legal objections, and ' called Constable (irabam, of -Ngajiara, in charge of Livingstone for the last 10 yea re, who said the houso was old and out of repair. In his opinion, lltero was no netaKity for licensed premises. at Livingstone. Travellers were sufficiently accommodated, Mr? Curling's boarding-houro being used, Tho WLisjcs Gallagher also used tlio premises proposed to he licenitfd as a boarding-house. There was Very .little business at Livingstone. The place was off tho Main road.—To Mr Hjorringi: If a license was granted mid tho licensee conducted the pln'cw well his (tln> constable's) duties would not bo increased, lie visited Livingstone occasionally. Tho .former liefjisee of the premises had a conviction recorded against him. Sergeant King, in charge of Oama.ru district, deposed that the last time he was at Livingstone he counted the houses, anil found there wore only 25 within a radius of two miles. In his opinion, a licensed house was not required. Resident; did not want it, and lliore were few travellers. The sergeant described the approaches to Livingstone, the state of business there., and the >tate of the houso proposed to lie licensed, which lie said Was in a bad state of repair.-— To >Alr Hjorring: It would not take much to reinstate tho place. 1 Mr Hjorring submitted that the evidence which he would call would contradict that of tho police. He proposed to show that the Rock and Pillar litm-o bad lapsed, thus creating: a vacancy. Ho called (ho applicant,

Thomas Buckley, who stated that the house contained M room.--. The house was in a. igocd state, some of Urn rooms being lined throughout with wood. No stores wero brought to Livingstone from Duntroon. Tlio homo was used by travellers. He_ had obtained a lease of tho house.—To Mr Kirlt: Tho lease was for otic year from June 1, at a rent of £20 per annum. He (fid not know whether that was a low rent for a hotel. Miss Uallxglier owned tlio house, also the furniture. Messrs Milligau and Bond took grocc.ii's to Livingstone certain days every week.

Donald M'TxMnian. sheep farmer, Livingstone, i-aicl tliiifc lie was often in Livingstone. A licensed house would be ft great convenience. 110. considered on® was necessary.— To ill- Kirk: He had lived at Livingetono only for tlw last 12, months, hut knew tlio district for yeafs. lie had travelled to and from Livingstone' often, nnd had never keen refused accommodation.

Hugh Wilson,.treasurer Manitnto County Council, deposed that all the license fees had htcn paid, with the o.vi'ptioli of Nicholas Moloney's for tlio itock siiid Pillar Hotel. 110 thought ,the fees should ho paid by 4 o'clock. (It was then near 6 o'clock.)

The Chairman intimated that, he was not sure whether they could, grant the licence iliitil llie next day, even if they were disposed to do so. The meeting would stand adjourned nntil_ 8 o'clock next liiotniiig, when the decision would be given. Applicant had better bo present. On teaming on Wednesday morning tho Chairman intimated that the committee had decided to grant it license,' at ft fee of £10 tho repairs suggested by the police to bo effected before next quarterly Hireling.