H—3B

233. In 1927 Northern Properties, Ltd., was promoted and formed as a private company by the Great Northern Brewery Co., Ltd., for the purpose of enabling the Great Northern Brewery Co. (a) to transfer some of its assets to Northern Properties, Ltd., in consideration of 75,000 fully-paid shares ; and (b) to go into liquidation and distribute portion of its assets. Under this transaction Northern Properties acquired seven hotels, including the Esplanade at Devonport, and the Newmarket at Newmarket, and a halfshare in another hotel. Northern Properties, Ltd., subsequently acquired other properties and rights from the Great Northern Brewery Co. (These transactions are set out in the Court papers on the application of Northern Properties, Ltd., to reduce its capital in November, 1938 (infra, para. 269)). 234. In 1928 the late Right Honourable J. G. Coates, when Prime Minister, introduced, on his own account, and not as a Government measure, a Licensing Bill which was more extensive than one he had introduced in 1927, which had not been proceeded with. The Bill of 1928 contained, inter alia, the following proposals : (1) An extension of the period between licensing polls to every alternate general election of members of Parliament; (2) If national prohibition were carried, then provision for a vote for national restoration; (3) If national prohibition were carried, provision for a poll for local restoration; (4) If licensed premises were, by reason of a change in boundaries, included in a no-license district and thereafter, by subsequent change in boundaries, included in a license district, provision for a special poll authorizing the issue of a new license in respect of such premises, the poll to be decided by a bare majority; (5) A provision defining private bars. (6) Provision enabling objection to be taken to the grant or renewal of a publican's license on the ground that there was no proper hot-water service in connection with any bar or that sufficient sanitary or other accommodation for the comfort or convenience of guests or employees had not been provided ; (7) That there should be no premium in addition to rent; (8) A provision enabling a Licensing Committee, in considering an application for a transfer, to take into account the terms of the transfer and refuse consent if they were excessive ; (9) A provision that the holder of a publican's license should not be entitled to receive any payment in addition to the reasonable value of his interest; (10) A provision that Licensing Committees should have power to require such additions, alterations, or repairs for the reasonable needs of the travelling public and all other persons resorting to the premises and of the locality. The license might be suspended until compliance ; (11) Power to transfer wholesale licenses ; (12) Provision applying section 8 of the Act o.f 1914 (relating to the delivery of liquor into no-license districts) to the King-country. (13) Provision rendering Polynesians subject to the same restrictions as Natives ; (14) Provision enabling the Superintendent of Police to extend the hours for dinner in an hotel or chartered club to any time not later than 10 p.m. ; (15) Provision requiring a book for the registration of lodgers to be kept by inn-keepers ; (16) Provision requiring barmen to be registered; and (17) Certain provisions concerning the wine industry. This Bill was reported from the Committee of the Whole, but was not proceeded, with.

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