A “ DESERTED ” HOTEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19047, 18 December 1923, Page 3

A “ DESERTED ” HOTEL

NOVEL POSITION REVEALED. (Feb United Peess Association.) PALMERSTON N.. December 17. A wove! case in connection with the license of a local hotel was revealed at the ad' journod meeting of the Licensing Com' iniltee to-day. At the last sittings Mrs Robinson, who held a temporary license oi the hotel, had been unsuccessful in having the license made permanent, and she sought to transfer it to D. Hoskin. The latter, however, has withdrawn, and the temporary license expired at noon to-day. The police stated that no one was now responsible for the control of the hotel. Counsel for the proprietor said that the latter was willing to take over the place and clear matters up. but it was pointed out that as a matter of law the license would revert to the previous licensee if she returned from Auckland to-day. otherwise it would lapse 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,” ne said, “and no one is holding the license wo can grant it to some other person.’’ In the meantime it would appear that the hotel is “deserted” so far as the license is concerned, and no one has authority ro sell liquor. The bench would tako no action until counsel could state what was the actual position—whether the previous licensee returned in time to claim the reversionary license, or whether it lapsed altogether. In the latter event the chairman and two members of the committee could grant the license to someone.