CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12490, 17 March 1909, Page 2

CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

WILL THEY BE GRANTED?

LICENSING COMMITTEE MEMBERS RETICENT. The question of applications for conditional licenses was mentioned at the conclusion of the Magistrate's Court yesterday by Mr H. Eyre Kenny, S. M., in his capacity as chairman of the Nelson Licensing Committee. Addressing the members of the Bar present, Mr Kenny said that some change in the practise that had liitherto prevailed in regard to applications for conditional licenses was necessary. It had been the practice to fill in the applications and get two members of the Licensing Committee to signify ■ their assent or dissent as the case might be. Then the document came before the Chairman and was either, refused or granted. This practice might lead to difficulties in the future. He therefore proposed when an application for a conditional license was received, to send to each elective member of the Licensing Committee a copy of the application together with a. letter requesting him to signify assent or dissent. On the replies being received the matter could then be considered by the chairman and he could decide what course he would take. The Act had provided since 1905 that it was not necessary for the Chairman to call the Committee together to consider the question. In many cases members of the Licensing Committee^resided in the country at considerable distance from the place of meeting, and it would mean great expense to the local bodies if meetings of the Committee were' convened to decide the question of applications for conditional licenses. The Clerk proposed to get proper applications forms printed, and this would have an additional advantage and much trouble would be saved as in many cases the present forms of application were defective.

In reply to a question Mr Kenny said the recently elected Licensing Committee assumed office at once, arid the practice proposed by him would be carried out in regard to any application made for a conditional license for the forthcoming races. Mr Kenny added that "some other method might be devised at the annual meeting of the Committee. As he had bo leave Nelson on official business, he would be; unable to convene a meeting pf the Committee, aaid applications for conditional licenses might be received before his return. Mr MaginnitjY on behalf of the members of the Bar, said that the suggestion made by the Chairman of the Licensing Committee appeared to be a convenient one for dealing with Licensing Committees. ■ Two members ot the Licensing Committee were seen yesterday in regard to their attitude in the matter of conditional licenses. Mr Pettit said that nothing was said about conditional licenses before the election, because he was under the impression that the Committee did not take office until June, and he did not think they would be called upon td decide the question of , a- conditional license for the Nelson Jockey Club's races. Mr Pettit considered that if an application was made for a conditional license the Committee should be called together to discuss the matter before coming to a 'decision. As an individual^ he was quite prepared to consider any application that came before them on its merits, but Mr Pettit declined to say what he would do until the matter was discussed.

Mr R. Watson, when spoken to on the subject, said he did not know the Committee would be called upon to decide this question until June. Mombers,\ however, had decided to hold' a private meeting to_ .discuss the question -of conditional licenses^ and their decision would be made public.

It is undorstood that a private meeting of tlie members of the Licensing Committee __ to consider the question of conditional licenses will be held to-day.