RANGIORA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7181, 4 June 1891, Page 4

RANGIORA.

The annual meetiDg of the Rangiora Licensing Committee was held at noon yesterday j present — Captain Parsons (Chairman), Messrs G. J. Leech, W. Buss, A. Ivory and C King. The police report was, aB usual, satisfactory in every particular, a fact which the Chairman referred to in congratulatory terms. RENEWALS. Renewals were granted to E. H. King, Junction Hotel ; J. Murry, Red Lion ; H. Bailey, Plough; and W. A. Taylor, Club. "bound houses." The Chairman stated that the Committee had received a circular from the Oust Licensing Bench iu respect to., the evil of bound houses. The circular pointed out that in country places where the brewers controlled the houses the liquor supplied was of very inferior quality, and with a view to making an effort to remedy the evil, the Committee sought co-operation in au appeal to Parliament to amend the Licensing Act by a clause prohibiting brewers from having any interest in publichouses. He (Captain Parsons) said that his Committee could fully endorse the complaint ; but after considering the letter, | it had come to the conclusion chat it could hardly go as far as the Cust Committee j suggested in respect to the brevera, but it thought some provision could be made for a publican to be partly a free agent in the choice of the liquor he offered for sale. The Committee was further of opinion that Committees should have more powers con- ! f erred upon them in respect to inspection of hotels and choice of licensees. Under the existing laws the police had to see to these matters, and he was aware of a case in the northern district where a man had been granted a license who was totally unfit to conduct a house. It was only reasonablo that before a man was appointed to the charge of a hotel, the Committee which was called upon to grant him a license should be personally satisfied of his ; fitness for the position. He waß happy to j say that the complaint respecting the sale ] of bad liquor at " bound houses " did not [ apply to the Rangiora hotels, but from J ■ personal experience he could affirm its ] i truth in respect to many country places, i ATTENDANCE OP APPLICANTS. After tho certificates for tho renewals J ' had been signed, the Chairman observed that the applicants wera not all repre- j j sented. He requested the Sergeant of ' Police to draw attention to the fact that, ! I although tho Act did not require the pre- ! ! sence of the applicants, still, as a matter • j of courtesy to the Committee, they should • ' attend to hear any remarks that might bo j made. j I Mr H. Bailey, on behalf of the different ! [ licensees, thanked the Bench for the ; kind remarks made in respect to the coni ducting of the hotels, and he trusted they would always merit the good opinion | gained. They felt sure of fair treatment j at the hands of so intelligent and impartial a Committee. This concluded the business.