NELSON LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13739, 3 June 1913, Page 5

NELSON LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of tho Nelson Licensing Committee was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. J. S. Evans, S.M., (chairman), H. Atmoro, M.P., P. Best, \V. N. Frankiyn, E. E. Trade and T. Pettit. . •

Messrs, C. J. Harley, A. T. Maginnity, E. B. Moore, and W. V. Rout were the counsel appearing in eupport of the various applications. Senior-Sergeant Darby represented tho police. POLICE REPORT. Tho report of tho police on tho conchict of tho licensed houses waß satisfactory, there being no complaints, except in regard to the Pelorus Hotel. As to tho condition of the hoxtees minor repairs were suggested in soveral cases. In regard to the Royal Hotel, the opinion was expressed that it shoiild bo replaced by a now building. Considering the state of the building it was kont very clean. 'The chairman said there wero no objections to the- licenses in Nelson. In regard to the Polonis Hotel, an application was made by the applicant for n magistrate's cor linen to, the- police lodging an objection. After hearing the" evidence lie granted tho certificate with an endorsement to enable the matter to be considered by the Oornmittoo at tho meeting. RENEWALS. Renewals wore granted as follows:— Commercial Hotel, H. Saunders; Masonic, H. Baigent; Trafalgar, T. McGil.ivray; Exchange, W. J. Clarklgo ; Central. Elizabeth Maples ; Prince Albert, Frank Kadcs; Panama, Benjamin Crisp: Goltk'n Fleece, John R. Couzens; Wakatu, C. J. Nelson; Post Boy, H. P. Swainson 5 Provincial, Jnines Thonmsson ; Royal. R. Cann; Tasman, C. Williams; Custom Houbo, CJ. Af. Harden; Pier, G. Bishop; Bush Tavern, J. Nobnan ; Black Horse. W. E. Thomas; Star and Garter, John E. Barham; Railway, T. Heath; Travellers' Rest, J. W. Satheney. TRANSFERS. Transfers were approved as follows: Turf Hotel, Annie Sheldon to Robert Iverr; Rising Sun, John Riley to Arthur Goldstraw. NEW LICENSES. New licenses were granted to J. B. Johnston, Globo Hotel; Robert Kerr, Turf ; Arthur Goklstniw, Rising Sun j E. J. Wills, White Mart. THE ROYAL HOTEL. Mr. Harley, on behalf ox the owner, stated that at tho last annual meeting a report as to tii© condition of tho building was put in by two firms of builders, and the i\paiis required to put the building in a satisfactory condition, were earned out. Mr. A. T. Alagiunitv, on behalf of the licensee, supported the application being granted. Tho chairman said a new building was required, and the Committee thought that carrying out repairs was like putting now ..■cloth into old clothes However in view of a decision ho did not think xho Committee- had power to coiiijK-1 the owner to re-build The license was granted. WHOLESALE LICENSES. Wholesale licenses were granted, as follows: M. M. Webster, J. Shields and Co., Ltd., Loviu and Co., Ltd., J. H. Cock and Co., Ltd. PACKET LICENSE. f'\ P. Rickotts, s.s., Wairoa, applied for a p.ick< t license. Mr. T. Pettit said he strongly objected to packet liiiuiiwet; being granted to fcinall vosseis. ■ Air. E. B. Moore, for ihv. anpii; .;it-, Baid there had bean no e»mpiaini.s i.i restx-cb of this license. The chairman pointed out tliat t!;.I---license, might be refused at Nelson and granted, by mother committee at somo other port of call. Air. Trask moved, and Mr. Best seconded, that the license be granted. Atr. Pcttit said ho would move thr.t in the--.opinion of the B-ancli the interests of the public would bo host served by the refusal of the license Tiie chnh-mnn said ho would take tho opinion of members on the matter, nnd ih-r< lic.-'nsc was granted, Mr. Pettit opposing. THE PELORUS HOTEL. Charles H. Sathorley applied for :; license for the Pelorus Hotel, at Canva.stown. Mr. E. B. -Moore appeared in support of tho application. Cbusi'ab.e Al'athicson, of Havclock, in his iv-port on tho Polar us Hotel, complained oi: tho <-rni'Jition of the urinals, and the okl buildings at the back of the hotel. Inside it was stated th«t the hotel w::s clean, but required papering throughout. Out of 13 bedrooms only G worr provided with fire escapes. T!"1 furniture- was poor, and the licenE. ; oxcuso was that miners and others kiimjked it about and good furniture w. :dd l)e wasted. Constable Mathioson nl.- , exprcssc<l his opinion in regard to tt ■ conduct of the house. 'i'h'-i chairman reed tho evidence given1 by Constable Mathiccon nt the inquiry as to the applicant's fitness for a certificate. Mr. Moore* asked that the evidence given by witnesses in support of tho application, together with tho letters from residents of the- district should bu considered by the Committee. Air. H. Atmore, M.P., said that he know the men who had put in their testimony as to the character of tho applicant, including Rev. Parker, Messrs Hughes, Hart. Glastonbury and others, all of whom wore well known residents of the district. Ho noted also that the testimony was from men who wore opposed tr>'tho liquor trafGc. Mr. Atinore stated that the jxjoplo were indignant at the report of the constable. If there was drunkenness on tho premises the constable should have taken proceedings. He moved that the license bogranted. Mr. Trnsk seconded tho motion, and. said that from his own knowledge the place was well -conducted. Air. Mooro said ho believed he could get the signatures of every resident in the district, except tho constable, as to the character of tho applicant^ and the conduct of the- hunss. The minor repairs would be -attended, to forthwith, and under tho loa-co tho applicant had to paint the exterior of the house bofo-re next year. Mr. Moore added that- tho accommodation provided at tho house was excellent. Senior-S. rgcant Dnrby so.id he had j made inquiries since the. report was received, and bad ascertained that tho accommodation provided was very satisfactory. In fact those ho had so«ti had spoken in th-e highest terms of the attention they received. Mr. Pettit -suggested tiiat the Inspector of Licensed Houses for this district (Scnior-Sorgt. Darby) should visit the houso and report at the 'quar•ierly meeting of the Licensing Coni,nrittee. Senior-Sergeant Darby said ho would not be at the next quarterly meeting of tho Committee, but he would leave p memo, for his successor as to tho desiro of tho Committee that tho Inspector of licensed bouses for this district should inspect the hotel. Tho chairman said that after hearing the evidence Ik could, not ccc any reason why tho license should not I>o granted. . - -, ........ Tho license was then granted, Mr. JPettit objecting.