Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 486, 7 December 1869, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., W. B. Tosswill, A. Back, and T. W. Maude, Esqrs.) Police. — There were no criminal cases set •down for hearing. Licenses. — James Blackler applied for a country hotel license in the Doyleston district. There was a numerously signed document, together with two notes from E. J. Lee and W. B. Christy, Esqrs., certifying to the personal fitness of the applicant for holding a license, and his general good character, but there was also a lengthy petition against the application being granted. His Worship remarked upon the first-named documents being merely certificates of character, not eaying anything in favour of a license being granted, whilst, on the other hand, there was -apparently a large number of neighbours opposed to it. Tbe Bench, from other information, also considered the license was not required, and must therefore refuse it. James Maine, jugr., applied for a similar license for a house contiguous to tbe Rolleston railway station. In support of it a certificate of character, signed by fourteen persons, was submitted by the applicant, who also urged that although there was another house within about two miles, it did uot afford anything like the accomodation required in the locality. The Bench did not think another house for tbe sale of liquors waa required, and must accordingly decline to grant it. If a bouse for accommodation only was required, tbe applicant conld start one without having a license for the sale of liquors. — John Johnaton applied for a wine and beer license for Colombo street south. The application had previously been refused, and no further proof being adduced as to the necessity of the house, the Bench confirmed their former decision. — Annie Man, for the same locality, made a similar application under exactly the same circumstances, and was also again refused.— John Williams applied tot a wine and beer license for his store at the junction of Madras and Peterborough streets, urging in support of it, that ho had been frequently urged by his neighbours to obtain a license, and pointing out that Mills' Hotel — the nearest licensed house —is at a most inconvenient distance from the locality. His Worship said the Bench thought there were already too many licensed houses in tbe city, and no substantial reasons being advanced in support of the application, it would be refused.— James Voice, Templeton, applied for a country hotel license, contiguous to the railway station. Mr Wynn Williams appeared to support it, and Mr Harper to oppose, petitions being read both for and against. Mr Harper submitted that there was already a licensed house within a mile of the station, and that it afforded every necesaary convenience to travellers. Inspector Pender also said that he did not believe an additional license was at all required. The applicant submitted tbat Mr Marshman, . Manager of the Railways, had expressed quite * contrary opinion. Mr Harper said, if necessary, he was prepared to show this was not correct — in fact, that Mr Marshnan had declined to recommend the applica

tion. Hia Worship said the Bench could not grant the application ; there was a house within a mile, and there was no reason to multiply houses about the country in such a manner. Of course the applicant, if he thought proper, could provide public accommodation without a license for selling liquor.