MANY LICENSED HOTELS WANTED IN OHINEMURI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17862, 2 June 1926, Page 13

MANY LICENSED HOTELS WANTED IN OHINEMURI.

COMMITTEE FACES NOVEL PROBLEMS. (Special to the “Star.’ ) AUCKLAND, June I. An unusual occasion was the sitting at Paeroa to-day of the Licensing Committee, the first which has met in the Ohinemuri electorate - since 1908, when no-license was carried. It is also the first time in Nfcw Zealand's history that a licensing committee has been called together to restore licenses, although reduction and renewal are quite a common proceeding. The committee is faced with several novel problems, and sat all to-day and into the evening. It will probably not conclude its deliberations until late to-morrow, nor are any applications likely to be granted at once, the committee "preferring first to make a-per-sonal inspection of the hotels and accommodation in respect of which licenses are applied for. Another point that is going to cause trouble is the claim of the owners of premises whi ii were licensed in 1908 to preference in the allocation of new licenses. The Act generally does not seem to allow for such preference, other things being equal, but the whole matter will be the subject of full-dress legal argument when the committee resumes to-morrow. On a population basis it would appear that Ohinemuri is entitled to fifteen licenses, and, while seventeen applications will come before the committee, these affect only thirteen licenses. Five licenses have been applied for in Paeroa, four in Waihi and one each at Karangahape, Waikino, Waitoa and Kerepeehi. In most cases the buildings in which it is proposed to house the licenses are being renovated, and the committee will not issue licenses tomorrow, withholding final sanction until the houses are in a condition to ac- ; tually commence business. So far the only sign of organised opposition to the granting of any of these licenses is that directed against the proposed Waitoa Hotel. Objection to the granting of a license to Waitoa was first expressed at a meeting of suppliers to the New Zealand Dair> Company, which has a large dairy factory there. The directors were asked to take steps to prevent the granting of a license, and a petition representing over 90 per cent of the residents has been lodged at Paeroa, asking that no certificate be granted for a license at Waitoa. Nothing has been done regarding the scheme propounded by Mr A. S. BankArfc toward the end of last year aiming at licensing reform. It w T as then suggested that the number of' licenses granted in Ohinemuri should be limited to seven or eight, and that licens ed houses should be administered or controlled by one company, which should acquire the existing buildings and rights, the owners to take shares in the company in return. It was proposed that the company’s profits should be limited to 10 per cent per anrtum, and, after the necessary provision for depreciation, renewals, etc., to devote the profits in excess of this 10 per cent to making proportionate grants.to local bodies in whose areas the net profits are earned. The scheme did not find favour for several reasons and was not proceeded with. Any licenses granted will not come into operation until July 1.