GERALDINE LICENSING TRUST FIRST ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1950 Session I, H-24b

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1950 NEW ZEALAND

GERALDINE LICENSING TRUST FIRST ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

Presented Pursiumt to Section 43 of the Licensing Trusts Act, 1949

MEMBERS OF THE TRUST Messrs. A. N. Blakiston (Chairman), P. H. Davis, C. S. Davies, J. E. Wood* L. C. Vicary, Lieut.-Col. R. P. Harper, D.5.0., M.C., D.C.M.

REPORT

CONSTITUTION The Trust is constituted under the Licensing Trusts Act, 1949, and the members thereof were elected by popular vote at an electoral poll held on the Bth February, 1950. PERIOD OF FIRST REPORT The Trust held its inaugural meeting on the 15th February, 1950, and in the period of six weeks covered by this report has met on three occasions. Committees have met on a number of occasions when required to discuss architectural and general matters relating to the setting up of the business of the Trust. During the period covered by this report executive duties have been carried out by an Interim Secretary, and the Trust wishes to record its appreciation of that officer's attention to the Trust's interests. There have also been appointed consulting architects and solicitors. The experience already gained by the Masterton Licensing Trust has been made freely available by that organization, and much useful information has been obtained from this source.

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The Trust was able to arrange for the General Manager of the Masterton Licensing Trust to visit Gferaldine for its second meeting in February. After viewing tlhe premises being considered by the Trust, he gave the meeting much valuable information and advice relating to licensing trust procedure, management, and other relevant matters. The Trust has also received valuable assistance and support from many of the largest importers of liquor, and promises of technical assistance and advice have been freely offered from these and many other sources. Considerable information as to the operations of the Invercargill and Masterton Licensing Trusts was in hands of individual Trust members well prior to the election of the Trust. The Trust members have from the outset been fully aware of their responsibility as representatives of the Trust district, and as to their position as members of a Licensing Trust called upon to carry out the duties of providing proper licensing and accommodation facilities in this area, which being predominantly rural, differs materially from the larger Trust districts such as Masterton, Invercargill, and the newly constituted neighbouring district of Ashburton. BRIEF SURVEY OF THE GERALDINE LICENSING TRUST The Geraldine Licensing Trust District is a rural area in which the main concentration of population is about 1,700, including the Geraldine Borough, and the extra urban areas of Raukapuka and the Geraldine Downs, immediately adjacent in the Geraldine County (county population, 5,850). Geraldine is four miles from the main south highway and railway, and is on the bus route connecting Christchurch, with Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and the Southern Lakes. A considerable tourist traffic passes through daily using the above route. The district is well known for its scenic beauty and is attractive from all tourist aspects. Other smaller centres of population in the Trust district are Orari and Rangitata on the main south road and railway, also Arundel and Peel Forest higher up on the Rangitata River. Several areas in the Trust district have little community of interest with Geraldine Township, being adjacent to Fairlie, Winchester, and Temuka, where licensing facilities already exist. The district" was forced to go " dry" in 1908 owing to an electoral boundary change, and no licences have been obtainable in the district since that year, although the area has long since been reattached to " wet " districts. The district has never itself voted " dry." The position of the district was fully covered by the recent Licensing- Commission in its report. In consequence of the lack of revenue from liquor sales, hotel accommodation in the area has sunk to a low condition. Presumably, the electors in voting for restoration with Trust Control assumed that the Trust method was the surest way of bringing back proper accommodation and liquor facilities into the area. This, in any case, is the duty which the Geraldine Licensing Trust fefels it is called upon to discharge. POLICY Oi 1 THE TRUST Taking all the circumstances in the Trust District into account, the Trust considers that the provision of bottle stores, or separate bar lounges (either on a temporary or permanent basis) would not meet the needs of the area, and that provision of proper hotel accommodation, with facilities for

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the sale of liquor, worked in conjunction, is the only feasible method of operation. The need for an immediate source of revenue from the sale of liquor is essential to the building up of accommodation to the required standard. The Trust recognizes that the process will be gradual, and that careful financing and wise administration over a lengthy period will be required. The Trust also considers that operations should be commenced with the absolute minimum of delay. Considering the provision of bottle stores and separate bar lounges to be unsuitable for the district, the Trust has two remaining alternatives:— (a) To acquire the existing two-storied brick building containing twelve bedrooms (situated in the centre of Geraldine Township and known as the Crown (Private) Hotel), adding to and renovating the same to a standard which will adequately provide for local and commercial requirements, together with proper facilities for tourists, and travellers on the bus services, all of which stop in Geraldine for varying periods, and which are inadequately catered for at present. (&) To build a new hotel embodying all the above requirements. For a number of reasons, the Trust considers that it should not attempt to embark on the provision of a new hotel at the present juncture. An architectural survey of the Crown Hotel has accordingly been called for, and if this building proves to be structurally sound, and can be brought up to the required standard at a reasonable figure, same will be acquired, and will become the Trust's main project. It is considered that this project would provide for the local, commercial, and tourist requirements of the district for some time to come, and allow the Trust to gauge the potentialities of the district to sustain a larger scheme in the future, building up reserves for that purpose in the meantime. With the taking of the Crown Hotel, a bottle store, and possibly a temporary bar, would be installed, so that immediate revenue could be derived from liquor sales during the alteration period. This scheme will entail the employment of one Hotel Manager. The services of a part-time Secretary will suffice. No General Manager will be required and overhead expenses will thus be kept to a minimum. In all probability, the Crown Hotel project will be adopted as the Trust's main project in the near future. FUTURE POLICY OF THE TRUST Assuming that the Crown Hotel project is proceeded with, the Trust will later survey other areas in the Trust district which it thinks should be considered. It is thought likely that an establishment combining liquor and other facilities may prove to be possible at Orari, to serve the needs of the travelling public on the main south road, and to provide a source of revenue to the Trust. Areas round Rangitata, Arundel, and Peel Forest will also be studied, but no further scheme will be put into operation without careful consideration, and for some time after the main scheme (the provision of adequate licensing and accommodation facilities in the Township of Geraldine) has been got under way., Overall, the Trust is intensely interested in the whole experiment of Trust control. It is determined to apply the best principles for the benefit of its Trust district, and to make what contribution it is able to the conception of Trust control in New Zealand as a whole.

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As stated before, the Geraldine Licensing Trust District is a smallish one, and the Trust is the first to be elected in a rural area, where, it is freely admitted, licensing is more difficult than in the larger town and metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, the Trust feels that it can by sound finance and administration build up an establishment, which may well prove to be a pattern for licensing in rural areas, and it is proceeding with these ideals in view. ACCOUNTS As the Trust has so far had no financial operations to record, no financial statement is included with this report. A. N. Blakiston, Chairman. 26th April, 1950.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (614 copies), £7 10s.

By Authority: K. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington. —1950. Price 3cZ.]

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