THE LICENSING LAW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 58, 4 November 1914, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

COMMITTEE S DECISION.

[Per Pbkbb Association.] Wellington, November 3

To-day tlie Supreme Court delivered judgment in the case of F. C. Cook and J. Drysdale versus L. G. Reid and other members o f the Pahiatua Licensing Committee a case of Interest to publicans. Cook was the licensee, and Drysdale is the owner of the Kumeroa Hotel. Cook duly gave notice of his intention to apply for a renewal of his license at the annual meeting of the Committee, which was set down for June 2nd last. As Continuance had been carried in the district, he had a statutory right of renewal, subject to the usual conditions. Certain improvements to the hotel were requisitioned by the Licensing Committee on May 25th, including a new hot-water service and cleaning up of the stable and lavatories. A meeting was held on June sth, and the Committee refused the renewal of the license, but stated that if the improvements were effected before the next quarterly meeting it’would be prepared to grant the renewal of the license. A temporary license was granted for three months, as only portion of the improvements had been carried out. At the quarterly meeting it was found that the Committee’s requisitions had not been complied with, owing, it was stated, to the licensee’s inability to pay for them. The license was extended to September 30, when the hotel was closed. Meanwhile an application for a mandamus to the defendants as above was brought to secure the. renewal of the license. The Court held that the licensee’s application was not fully disposed of by the refusal at the annual meeting, and his statutory right to renewal remained in force; that the further hearing of the application was properly taken on the occasion of the quarterly meeting; and that the Committee acted within their powers in denying a further adjournment, and proceeding to refuse the license. The application was, therefore, dismissed.