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1946 NEW Z EALAND

INVERCARGILL LICENSING TRUST SECOND ANNUAL REPORT, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1946

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to the Invercargill Licensing Trust Act, 1944, Section 28

Members of the Invercargill Licensing Trust have pleasure in presenting their second annual report and balance-sheet. Progress made during the year has been satisfactory, considering the numerous difficulties encountered. Up to date we have not been able to provide sufficient premises to accommodate the travelling public or to provide conditions satisfactory to the members for sale of liquor and refreshments. We have, however, renovated and enlarged our leading hotel, which will, we think, bring it to a very highstandard, as would be expected of the Trust. The only permit granted for a new hotel was that for Hotel Southland, which should be completed in three to four months time. This will provide accommodation close to the principal public hospital and serve the district of South Invercargill. During the year the Trust has acquired certain necessary buildings. One building is to supplement our store accommodation, the other to extend accommodation of the leading hotel. During the year we also acquired Deschler Hotel and Hotel Avenal, and have, in addition to renovating same, introduced the sale of liquor. The Brown Owl Restaurant experiment continues to be successful, except from a financial standpoint, the difficulty being that this class of business cannot carry the burden of licensed-hotel workers' wages. The sale of liquor in these premises is only an additional amenity to the restaurant service and is far from being the principal source of revenue. This brings about the anomalous position of the Trust having to pay licensed-hotel workers' wages to employees the majority of whom are not in any way connected with the sale of liquor or the running of an hotel. None the less, we think the experiment well worth the trying and that it should be continued. Licensing Commission The Chairman of the Trust appeared before the Commission and gave evidence covering an extensive survey of the Trust's operations and intentions. Southland Brewery During the year the Trust acquired a substantial holding in this brewery and entered into an agreement controlling indiscriminate sales of liquor in our area, a matter which had previously given the Trust a considerable amount of concern. This arrangement is working most satisfactorily. It brings the sale of liquor from this source more into line with the ideals aimed at by the Trust, as well as giving an assured supply.