THE LICENSING BILL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 512, 11 October 1900, Page 15

THE LICENSING BILL.

The following is a synopsis of the Bill intro, duced on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. The measure provides for nine provincial option districts, coterminous with the old provincial districts maintaining the present licensing districts, as under the Representation Act ; committees to be elected as at present, with the magistrate as chairman. Polls will be taken within these districts in the same manner as they were taken for local option in the electoral dis tricts • the first poll to be taken next general election day. Two questions will be referred to the electorates : Whether licenses in the provincial option districts shall be granted or not? These are the two questions that will have to Jbe decided by the poll. If a threefifths majority decide for total prohibition, tnen on June 30th thereafter all licenses shall be at an end in the districts where the poll is carried. The electors will, at the same time, by referendum, be called upon to v -te at the first poll whether the next poll shall be taken at the

next general election or at the succeeding one; that is, they will have to decide by referendum ' whether the. decision shall have effect for three or six years. In the exceptional case of the Olutha district, which has already declared for prohibition, provision is made that when the first provincial option is made, if the Olutha electors, by a three fifths majority, declare against prohibition, then licenses may be granted in the ratio of one to every 700jOf the population,, but unless there is a three-fifth majority the present state of affairs will continue. If the provincial local option polls are against prohibition then the licenses will remain as they are. No provision is made as to the question of reduction. Licensing matters in the King Country are to remain as at present, until a Royal Commission has reported thereon. As to endorsement, power is given to the Court to exercise its discretion in respect to endorsements. Four convictions against a person shall disqualify the premises for one year. Licensees are authorised to sell from six a.m. to half-past ten p.m.; any extension beyond that to be at the discretion of the Committees. As to endorsements on existing licenses, if there is no additional endorsement within twelve months from the last endorsement, a fair start will be given the licensee if there is not more than one conviction. Any person who for the purpose of obtaining, liquor represents himself as a traveller is liable to a penalty of £lO. As to removal of licenses and evading the Act by the quarter - mile limit, it is provided in cases of licenses lapsing the Committee shall not, until after taking the next

poll, grant any licenses in respect to premises situated more than a-quarter, of a mile from the premises in respect of which the lapse occurred. A penalty of £lO is provided for providing * prohibited person with liquor. The power of attorney by which, when a hotel is sold, the owner could evict the purchaser is declared to be void. Wine licenses can be granted in counties as well as in boroughs. The sale of mixed parcels of liquors to make up two gallons is prohibited, and wholesale breweries cannot, sell less than two gallons of any one liquor. Prose* Cutions for breaches of the law shall be commenced within 21 days after the breach of the law. Licenses or transfers are not to be granted unless the applicant holds a written, lease for a term of not less than four years, leases to be lodged with the clerk of the Court, with a statement of the moneys paid in respect of goodwill and stock. It shall not be lawful fora landlord to take a bonus for a transfer of a license, nor shall a landlord refuse a transfer. to a fit person. The owner of premises who may be a brewer or wine and spirit merchant shall only charge the current. rates. Clubs to be subject to the provisions of the Licensing Act. X

Poor old Imp, than whom a gamer mare never trod the American turf, has, possibly, run her last raee, says an American exchange, and little wonder at it, for she has been in constant training ever since the season opened in May. In the Brighton Handicap, which was one of the fastest races ever run in America, Imp carried 1301bs and finished a good third. Sometime during the race she must have hit herself, for when she pulled up her fetlock was bleeding. She- was started again too soon after this injury, and the wound was re-opened, but in the race in question she showed her gameness by winning. After only two days’ rest, she was brought out in the Islip Stakes against Ethelbert, and the latter made a regular show of her. The poor old mare did not seem to have her speed, but her courage enabled her to keep the lead for about six furlongs; Ethelbert then went by and won as he pleased. Considerable damage was done to her fetlock in this race, and the wound was bleeding badly, so this time a long rest is imperative. It is doubtful whether she will be seen with the colours up again—certainly not this season.