LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS. GABRIELS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1463, 13 June 1888, Page 3

LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS. GABRIELS.

The annual licensing meeting was held in the schoolroom, Blue Spur, on Saturday lasb. There were present — Messrs D. Murray (chairman), E. Varcoe, J. Gampbell, J. M'Hattie, and W. H. Luke. The following applications for renewals were dealt with ; —

Chinese Empire Hotel, Tuapeka Flat : Sam Chew Lain,

The clerk read an objection to the granting of this license on the grounds that the house was not conducted in a proper manner, and that it was not required. James (Japstick appeared in support of the objection, and handed in a petition bearing about thirty names. He said he had been misled by Sam Yeck, a Chinaman residing at the Camp, who had paid the legal expense of getting the petition drawn up, and had promised to get fifty Chinese names to it, but he was unable to get auy. As he had taken the matter in hand, he was determined to go through with it. He therefore went round with the petition and got Europeans to sign it. The clerk read the names to the petition, which comprised, in many instances, whole families.

Mr John Thompson (agent for the applicant) and Mr Gooday objected to the petition. Mr Gooday said that in accordance with the 59th section of the Licensing Act, every objector must appear in person, and if it was a public petition seven days' notice would have to be given ; if a private petition, three days' notice. His client had only received notice that an objection would be lodged on Wednesday night, which was not three clear days from the day of hearing. There was nothing in the petition to show within what radius from the hotel the petitioners resided. So far as he could glean, they resided at Blue Spur and Wetherstones ; and he questioned very much if nine-tenths of those whose names appeared were ever inside the hotel. He handed in a report from Inspector Moore (Invercargill) as to the good conduct of the house, also a memorial signed by the justices of the peace in Lawrence, and a petition bearing a large number of signatures of persons who resided in close proximity to the hotel, showing that the licensee was highly respected, and his hotel conducted in a proper manner. Mr M f flattie said this was the first time he had heard of an objection being taken to Mr Sam Chew Lain's license. With such overwhelming evidence to the contrary, it was clear that the committee could take no notice of the objection which had been lodged. He felt sure that not one of those residents on the Spur, who had signed the petition, knew anything of its contents ; but signed it as most petitions were signed— without looking at it. Mr Thompson asked that the license be extended to eleven o'clock. The committee decided to grant the

license ; but would not extend the. hour,

The following applications for ten o'clock licenses were also granted : — The Golden Ace Hotel, Wetherstones, R. G. Fulton ; Blue Spur Hotel, Duncan Beaton ; Union Hotel, T. Pope ; Provincial Hotel, Eyana Flat," A. Clark ;' and Thistle Hotel, Evans Flat, J. Hopkins.

, la the o*3e of the Provincial and Thistle Hotels, the licensees were ordered to make proper provision for fire escape. Mr Campbell proposed a vote of thanks to the police for their very favourable and lucid report. It was very satisfactory to the committee to see that the hotels were all well oonducted.

Sergeant Green thanked the committee for their kind expressions towards the police.