Wanganui Licensing Committee.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11796, 2 December 1902, Page 7

Wanganui Licensing Committee.

A meeting of the Wanganui Licensing Comiimiti.ee was held at the Courthouse yesterday morning, there being present—The Chaiima-n (Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M.), and Messrs. W. G. liassett, J. E. Wilson, J. Forbes, and Rev. J. Cocker. Application for transfer of license of Castilecliff Hotel from R. Pettardi to G. F. Brown, Mr. Barnicoat for applicant. The Chairman explained that on the heading of the application far a certificate the applicant gave evidence to .the effect that he was taking the lease of the hotel for nine years at £5 15s. per week. __ He was paying £2500 for goodwill of lease, furniture and stock at valuation. He was putting in £500, and the balance was guaranteed by Messrs. Gibbons, Spriggens, arid Hjii-trick. The lease contained; a penalty rent of £8 15s. (£3 above the £5 15s. per week, which is to be enforced1 in the event of his taking his beer or as.lied liquors from any person except Mr. Gibbons. He had satisfied himself by inspection of "the books and takings of the hotel that he could cany on the business without straining-it. He had not before held.a publican's license, but he was manager of St. John's Club for twelve months.

Mr. Barnicoat mentioned that the hotel had just recently been rebuilt. It was anticipated that a large business,, Avould be done there/ Castleolitt' being the only seaside "resort between Plinunerton and New Plymouth. He had gone into the question of rent WitK Mr. Brown, and he fully understood the position^ and he was quite satisfied "to. take the risk. Compared with hotels not fail from where they were sitting the rent did} not appear exorbitant. He admitted that the rents of hotels were absurdly high, but it appeared to be explained by hptelkeepers being prepared to take less than they did formerly. Mr? Brown, in answer to questions, said he expected to be able to increase the business. The present average takings were about £40 a week. He took the risk of Prohibition being earned three years hence. He considered that he ecu d cany on the business without straining it. Mr. Forbes said that, roughly, the interest on godwill would bring the rent up ito about £17 a week.

Mr. -Baesett pointed out that that calculation would be on the capital for the whole period, and would therefore be incorrect.

Mr. Barnicoat said he had worked it out at. about £11 ss. per week, roughly. . Mr. Bassett said that, taking the interest on the applicant's capital as well) as on the goodwill, he worked it out at- about £13.

Mr. Barnicoat pointed out that the owners really" botre the bulk of the risk,- and he did not think, when the coist of purchasing the hotel and rebuilding it was taken into account, that, Mr. Gibbons would derive more than a reasonable interest on his capital. He understood that Mr. €Hbbona had some £50u0 in the property, and he. was entitled to a reasonable interest,' and that was all he would receive.

, The Chairman beer.

And the profit on the

Mr. Barnicoat said that that was so Mr. Cocker said" it occurred to him. that, as a matter of fairness to Mr. Brown, there shoiulcl be some clause in the lease releasing Mr. Brown in the event of prohibition being. Carrie& Mr. Barnicoat explained1 that the Act made provision for that. The Chairm&n explained that the release would apply to the lease, but not to the £2500. The principal! loss would fall cm the owners, who were also' the applicant's guarantors. Mr. Barnicoat pointed out that the applicant would have to take pai*t of the risk. Mr. Hatrick and Mr. Gibbons, he (thought, were interested, but Mr. Sprig-gens was only in as a friend. J Mr. Cocker thought the applicant shouldll pay so much a year off the goodwill, so long as the license continued ; but that if the license came to an end the proportion of the goodwill) then remaining should lapse. The Chairman pointed out that it was not the duty of the Committee to protect Mr. Brown .against) financial loss. Their duty was to see that hrisbiu-den was not so great' as to compel him to strain or unduly push the business to make both ends meet

The Rev. J. Cocker said lie did not like the penalty rent clause in the agreement. Iti seemed in opposition to the very spirit of the law against "tied houses," even though it might be legal. Mr. Barnicoat explained that the Auckland case, upon which the ruling of the Chief Justice was. given, was on all fours with the present case. A clause similar tv this was practically in all leases now. After further discussion the applicant withdrew while the" Committee considered

their decision.- On resuming, the Chairman announced that the Committee had decided

to giant the transfer. The Committee considered they had done their duty to the applicant in pointing out their doubts 'relative to the large monetary' obligations into which he had entered for the goodwill. The Committee also- wished to draw special attention tyj the fact that a person ceased) to be a bona fide traveller within a reasonable time after arrival and after he had had rea,-

spnable refreshments —that was to say, that a person could not go down to Oastlecliff on a Sunday afternoon, and stop at the hotel drinking for the remainder of the day. The Committee hoped and expected! that Mr. Brown would conduct the business reasonably and fairly. &Q that people would be able to take their wives and "^families down there to stay for a week or so ■without fear of annoyance. They desired it to become a popular seaside resort,

The pi'oprietors ot' Bock's Herbal Remedies; are daily receiving ino&t flattering te«timoniais. Mrs H. Signal, of Gladstone House, Marton, wi'itos—"l have used Book's Balsam in my household, and found it to do all .that is claimed for it. It cured my husband of an old-sttiiiding cough, and other.members of severe colds. I can conscientiously recommend it to everybody." Bock's Balsam is also used externally for healing cracked hands, cuts, sores. Price, Is 6d. Bock's various preparations may be had of all the leading stores in Wanganui ;P. J. Missen. Makirikiri: F. Fraser. Waitotara; W. H. Southcombe, Waverley; A. Franklin. Turakina, and wholesale frdm JT. H.'Cock and Co., \Vanganui.

The elections (says the "Evening Post") promise to'prove the beginning rather than tfie end "of £he £repiierjs ' Parliamentary troubles. TW estimate made by Mr. A. R. Guinness indicates that, tv& a Goversment suppoi-ter, the member for Grey believes the Seddonain autocracy to : be threatened from withm as well as from witho"ut the Ministerial party.' If this opinion be approximately correct, "Mr. Seddon will have to consider seriously the reconstruction, of his Cabinet. Several member's of the part a.i'6 undoubtedly dissatisfiedl with the present allotment of portfolios, and i£there is no change they will inevitably become restive. On the other hand, reconstruction is also certain to offend some of the aspirants to office; and their friends.