LICENSING COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 659, 25 March 1879, Page 2

LICENSING COURT.

The adjourned sitting of the above was held this day, before^ the 7Licensing, Commissioners, H. Kenrick, Esq. (chairman), J. B. Poynter, P. Bourke, and G. Wright. Albion Hotel. j Mr. Vaughan applied for the extension of his license 'for the temporary bar while the proposed new building. is v* the course of erection. The plan of the new structure TW&s submitted to the Bench, and, meeting with ita approval, the term of license was extended to the next quarterly sitting, to be held June 30th.

1 '■' ' '"■' — — -Jl Sir George Grey Hotel, Waerangai A-HIKA. J The licensee, Mr. Douglas, appeared m answer to a complaint laid against him by Mary Donelly, with having, on the night of March Bth, refused her a night's lodging, and compelling her to remain outside m the rain. The complaint was addressed to the Chairman of the Licensing Commission, and m the iiiformatioft it stifled Tftaf on^the night m question there were apartments in' the hotel unoccupied. ' Mary Donnelly conducted to the wit-ness-box, and was about being sworn, when Mr. W.Brassey, who appeared on behalf of Mr. Douglas, objected, and addressing the BencH,,saia Presuming the facts were -as .represented .by, the complainant, what effect .would it "have as respects his. client's license 1 Brft he contended that if it,wa» at all necessary to lay a complaint, it could only be done at 'the session for the annual renewal of the license. That" was the proper timgf for the hearing of all objections, .arid ths present proceedings wejre altogether irregular. / Bes ides, . this was ;an, adjourned sitting, arid no business could be .considered other than what was brought up at the last quarterly meeting. The Chairman said there, was no time fixed for hearing objections'; they could be heard at any quarterly session, but counsel was quite right m hit objection to the complaint being heard at an adjourned sitting. ' The Bench were justified m investigating any complaint, and if sufficient cause were shown to cancel a license at any quarterly sitting. No doubt the best plan for the complainant would be to bring her case to the R. M. Court, where it could be'properjly dealt with. That Court had the power -to inflict a penalty of £10 for the offence of refusing accommodation to travellers when there was any to'' spare. • :n The Chairman then, addressing Mary Donelly, informed her that the proper course for her to take would be to lay a complaint against the licensee of the hotel with the Clerk of the R. M. Court. ...i / Masonic Hotbi. ; The Chairman ; said that at , thje last sitting the Bench had decided, that no license would be" renewed, cfcatiy fresh license, granted, to any house 1 having a .private entrance to ,the bar. The Commissioners were determined m enforcing this Jegu^ation, and in^v,ery case it must be complied : with,, otherwise licenses will be refused, Every ; h,ote,l m tba town had at one time complied with ihtf regulation,, but . subsequently it ,disregarded by Mn ta^e, wno ? sV# T,as a private entrance^ ' protected by a temporary, screen. The, polioe, who had been instructed to 'report) state that no other house m town was there a private entrance' to the bar. The Commissioner^, though they were reasonable m enforcing this regulation, ; and if it was not cdmpleted wi%. beforejthe next quarterly sitting, his license will be cancelled, -c f " /,-. :;; Mr. W. Brassey said he was instructed by Mr. Page to inform the Bench, that on the granting of his license there were no conditions attached. The private entrance to ihe bar was? then m the Hotel, but was for the same time closed. Recently it was opened,: and a screen placed m front. There was no house m the Australian Colonies feut what has a free access to the bar, and he did not know what effect: the regulation would, have, and thought it would be generally ▼ opposed.o' i :• .r •( ) The Chairman : That is a matter for you to consider; we- need not enter into what has gone on m the jjast. The Commissioners; are. most, unanimous m this matter.; :. The: regulation is a moat reasonable one, and will be enforced by the Bench. The charge against Mr. Pape will; be adjourned-to the quarterly sitting m June.