NELSON LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13737, 27 March 1915, Page 2

NELSON LICENSING COMMITTEE.

SPECIAL MEETING

A special meeting of the Nelson1 Licensing Committee Vas held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. J. S. Evans, S.M. (chairman), P. Best, and W. N. Franklyn. . On the application of Mr. Moore, a tempoi-ary transfer of the license for the Turf Hotel, Stoke, from Mary Cecilia Kerr &o L. M. Naylor was granted. On behalf of Edward Cann 3 licensee of the Royal Hotel, Mr. C J. Harley applied for authority to carry on a temporary bar on the premises recently partially destroyed by fire. Mr. .Harley explained that although the hotel had been gutted by fire, the bar suffered less than any other part of the building, and it was desired to carry on there temporarily until the new hotel was erected. Under section 38 it was provided that when a building was rendered unfit for habitation the chairman and two members could by order authorise the carrying on of business in some neighbouring premises. If it was necessary a temporary building could be erected on adjoining land, but in this, case it was proposed to erect the new hotel not only on the site of the old hotel, but over the adjoining section. He applied for authority to carry on in the present premises. Plans for the new building, which is to be erected in brick, were submitted. These provide for a three-storey building, with sitting-room, dining-room, commercial room, bar, etc., on the ground floor, and nine bedrooms and. a, sitting-room, with necessary conveniences, on each floor above. The new building is to be lined with fire-proof material.

The chairman said that the new hotel would have'to be erected within six months from the date of the fire. He suggested that the own^r sho^]d^ procure premises within half a mileS1 of the Royal Hotel, with the accommodation required by the Act, otherwise at the June meeting the committee would not be able to grant a

license for- a building which did not exist. Mr. Harley said that ten rooms of the new hotel could be ready by the September meeting. The chairman said that the committee ccild only grant a license to carry on business on neighbouring premises. Mr. Harley said it seemed to be drawing it to an absurdity. The chairman said he could not help that; it uas the law. Mr. Has ley said he would explain the position to the owner of the premises, and bring the matter before the committee again. , The committee approved the plans, subject to the installation of fire alarms.