Egmont Licensing Committee.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 177, 13 March 1896, Page 2

Egmont Licensing Committee.

The usual quarterly meeting of the Egmont Licensing Committee was held in the Courthouse, Stratford, on Friday at noon. Present: The S.M. (W. Stuart, Esq.,) in the chair, and Messrs Hislop, H. Brown, Franklyn, Lambie, Mackay, Monkhouse, and O'Donovan (clerk). Constable Ryan appeared for the police. The police report wa3 read, and was satisfactory. Some discussion took place regarding fire escapes, and a resolution was carried to have an improvement effected at Midhirst before the annual meeting. Mr Lusk, for the licenses, objected that the Committee were unreasonable in their demands.

The following transfers were granted Empire Hotel, Stratford.—A. 0. Barnes to Duncan Mackay. Mr Lusk for application, which was granted. Tariki Hotel, Tariki. Duncan Mackay to David Lilly. Granted. Okaiawa Hotel, Okaiawa. —William Henry McKay to Thomas William Dee." Mr Caplen (Hawera) appeared for the application and the transfer was grauted. Middleton's Hotel, Opunake.— John Kennedy to Walter Ward Middleton. Mr Malone appeared for applicant and the application was granted. Toko Junction Hotel, Toko.—John Thomas Bourne to Annie Brodie. Granted. Mount Egmont Hotel, Midhirst.— John Couchman to John Theobald. Mr liusk appeared in support of the annhVaM'vn which "ranted. 0 in v II 't«l, &t a 'ofd. - Mrg' Witsonto Oapt H 1 kr .ft. M- Lusk for applicant, and the application was granted. Commercial Hotel Stratford.—W. Dingle to W. H, Campbell. Mr Malone appeared for applicant. •Constable Ryan opposed, on the ground that Mr Campbell was a hotel broker, that he bought hotels and was scarcely in possession before he again sold them. He thought the Bench should express an opinion even if they did not refuse the license. He quoted from the opinion of the late Inspector Thompson these changes were not in the interest of the travelling public. He was not prepared to put his hand on any section of the Act, but the Committee could take action. He then referred to the number of houses held by Mr Campbell during the last 18 months, in support of his contention. Mr Malone replied, contending that the police reports in respect to any of the houses held by Mr Campbell was a complete answer to the objection, and he contended that the Commitee had no right to take any notice of such an objection as this. The S.M. said he did not think the Committee could take any notice of this objection, and moved that the transfer be agreed to. Constable Ryan said the Act appeared to contemplate some restrictions as it said a transfer could not be applied for under three months. Mr Monkhouse seconded the motion though he agreed that the Committee should not countenance too frequent transfers. The transfer was then granted.—■ Settler.