LICENSING COMMITTEES MEETINGS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 21

LICENSING COMMITTEES MEETINGS.

MANUKAU. TWO HOTELS TO BE CLOSED. The annual meeting of the Manukau Licensing Committee was held last week in the Courthouse, Onehunga. Mr. Dyer, S.M., was in the chair, and there were present: — Messrs. Gordon, Neilson, Rowe, McLaughlin and McLennan. The Chairman stated that as reduction had been carried at last election the Committee had decided to close two hotels, and had chosen five hotels from which they intended, after receiving the police report, to select the two to be closed. The following are the five chosen to be reported on on June 29: Royal Hotel. Onehunga; Victoria Hotel, Onehunga; Railway Hotel, Drury; Wairoa South Hotel, and Miranda accommodation house. Transfers; Transfers were granted to the following hotels: —Harp of Erin Hotel, Ellerslie, from George Wright (deceased) to Ellen L. Wright; Star Hotel, Otahuhu, from William Abbott to W. Regan; Criterion Hotel, from E. Y. Buller to A. Thomas; Wairoa South Hotel, from F. Sara to W. G. Abbott (adjourned until June 29). Renewals: Renewals were granted to the following hotels: —Marine Hotel, Howick, E. Bennett; Papakura Hotel, Thomas McEwin; Globe Hotel, Papakura, Walter Guise; Prince Albert Hotel, Onehunga, Geo. Dalziel; Exchange Hotel, Onehunga, E Keating; Royal Oak Hotel, Onehunga, H. Schmeidel; Manukau Hotel, Onehunga, R. T. Michaels; Railway Terminus, Onehunga, A. Bishop; Star Hotel, Otahuhu, W. Regan; Hibernian Hotel, Onehunga, T. C. Christensen; Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, A. Thomas; Harp of Erin Hotel, Ellerslie, E. L. Wright. The Court then adjourned until half-past two p.m. on June 29, when the Committee will receive the police reports on the five hotels mentioned and reduce the number by two. FRANKLIN. The annual meeting of the Franklin Licensing Committee was held at Mercer last week. Present: Messrs. Northcroft (Chairman), Ballard, Motion, Boilie, Allen and Routley. Applications for renewal of licenses for the following hotels were heard: —

Kentish Hotel, Waiuku: Police report satisfactory, renewal granted. Pukekohe Hotel (Mr. Parr, solicitor, representing the licensee) : Police report stated that not sufficient bedroom accommodation was provided, but in all other respects the hotel was commodious, and up to date. The Committee decided to grant a renewal, on the understanding that the licensee would build more bedrooms.

Mauku Hotel (Mr. Parr, representing licensee): A petition was received from residents, asking that the Licensing Committee order the erection of a new hotel, as the old one was too far gone in decay. The police report was in favour of the old hotel, and considered that the present building met all requirements. A plan was submitted by the owner, which showed considerable repairs and improvements, and which the Committee considered ample for an out-of-the-way place. Renewal of license was granted.

Raglan Hotel (Mr. Basley representing licensee) : No police report being to hand, the Bench decided to adjourn the hearing of this application till next quarterly meeting, and to grant a temporary license in the meanwhile. Renewals were granted for the Railway Hotel, Mercer, Tuakau Hotel, Rangiri Hotel, Huntly Hotel, Taupiri Hotel, and the Nottingham Castle Hotel, Morrinsville, the police reports being favourable. BAY OF PLENTY. At the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Licensing Committee, held at Tauranga last week, the licenses for the Central, Rob Roy, and Waihi Hotels were renewed. With regard to the latter, Sergeant McKinnon asked for certain alterations to be effected, and the solicitor (Mr. Sharp), who represented the owners, promised to comply with the sergeant’s recommendation. With respect to the Sterling Hotel, Sergeant McKinnon objected to the license being granted on the ground of there being insufficient fireescapes and some of the rooms being in a very insanitary state. Both the licensee (Mrs. Pilling) and the lessees were represented, and the Committee decided to grant the license until July 5, by which time the Court ordered that Sergeant McKinnon’s recommendations must be given effect to WELLINGTON. At the City Licensing meeting last week all applications for renewals were granted (except in the case of the Post Office Hotel, which was held over until next quarterly meeting, as mentioned below). In the course of the proceedings, the Chairman stated with reference to old houses, that while the Committee was not going to force anyone to rebuild, it would insist that the house should be kept in good repair and order, and that any recommendations made by the police must be carried out. Inspector Ellison said that meant that the Committee would not order any house to be rebuilt so long as there was a shadow of decency about it. The Chairman: The Committee is not going to force anybody to rebuild. The Inspector: Then it is no use to lodge objections against them because they are too small or on account of want of accommodation? There is a technical accommodation required by the Act, but all that is not sufficient for the city. The Chairman: The Committee will soar above technicalites. When the applications for renewal of the Post Office Hotel was reached, the Chairman remarked upon the danger of the building in case of fire, and the Committee was of opinion that something wou'd have to be done to increase the means of exit. The Committee would adjourn the application to next quarterly meeting in order to allow that to be done. In several hotels, where night porters are kept, the Committee stipulated that a bell should be provided on the premises for the use of the porter or anyone else in giving an alarm of fire. The Committee refused an extension of the closing hour to 11 p.m. CHRISTCHURCH. The annual meeting of the new Licensing Committee was held last week. In connection with the renewal of one license the Chairman said the Committee was of opinion that the existence of dives was not in the best interests of the trade. In regard to

another hotel the Chairman said the Committee would not grant a license while the bar opened to a right-of-way, and the application was directed to stand over. Several other applications were adjourned on the grounds that the buildings were unsuitable, or that the houses were conducted improperly. Application was made on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association for an extension or the hour of closing to 11 o’clock, in view of the Exhibiton. ihe Chairman said that the Committee was of opinion that the suggestion of people being shut out during closing hours was only a bogey. It was absurd to say that a man had no right to be in an hotel after the closing hour, for the law specially provided for men being on licensed premises after closing hours, with reasonable excuse, and the matter was adjourned till June 18. The question of brewing firms appointing managers to run hotels came up in connection with an application fir the renewal of a certain license, and the Chairman said it was against the whole spirit of the Licensing Act that the manager of a brewing firm should be put into a house as licensee. That was the worst feature of the tied house system, and he believed the bulk of the trade was opposed to the system. The Committee was not going to allow any brewing firms in Christchurch to run houses for their own benefit. After some further discussion the Committee adjourned the matter until Saturday week. DUNEDIN. At the annual meeting of the Caversham Licensing Committee, only three applications for renewals were granted, eight others being adjourned for various reasons. In the case of the Racecourse Hotel, the elected members of the Committee intimated that it must be rebuilt. Mr. Solomon, who appeared for the applicant, after some discussion, said if it could be established to the satisfaction of the Committee that the place could not be put into an effective state of repair, then the Committee had the right to say it must be rebuilt. At present he could not admit the right of the Committee to say so. The Chairman said the elected members were of opinion that the repairs were such as would mean the rebuilding of the house. Mr. Solomon: But you do not say you will not grant a license till the hotel is rebuilt? The Chairman: No. Mr. Solomon: Then it is premature for us to do anything. After further discussion the case

was adjourned to allow of' the owner being communicated with, he beihg at present in Australia. TARANAKI. At the meeting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee all renewals were granted except one, which was adjourned till Friday. A resolution was passed that haying regard to the complaints received and reports by the police, the Committee were satisfied that the granting of conditional licenses on the occasion of the recent race meeting at New Plymouth was a cause of drunkenness and disorder. It was also resolved that no conditional license be granted to the licensee concerned for a period of 12 months. At a meeting of the Patea Licensing Committee, all applications were granted. The closing hour of 10 o’clock was made universal. WESTLAND. The Westland Licensing Committee sat last week. A large number of renewals were granted unconditionally. In many other cases renewals were only granted till next quarterly meeting, the licensees in the meantime to effect extensive repairs and additions. In one case the Bench intimated that no renewal would be granted unless new and up-to-date premises were erected. BLENHEIM. At the annual meeting of theWairau Licensing Committee a series of drastic resolutions were passed. The Committee, which was elected on the reform ticket, decided that all licenses be 10 o’clock instead of 11 as heretofore, and refused an application for special extension in the case of Picton, on account of the shipping. A large amount of rebuilding and repairs was insisted on, and the total cost of complying with the Committee’s demands will represent considerable expenditure. Several licenses were renewed on condition that new hotels are erected on plans and specifications to be approved by the Committee. The fee for conditional licenses was raised to three guineas per day. MANAWATU. The Manawatu Licensing Committee last week refused to grant a license for the Criterion Hotel, Bulls, on the ground that the premises had not been maintained at the required standard, and are out of repair, and the rooms are insufficiently furnished for public accommodation. The renewal of a wholesale license at Rongotea was refused. Additional accommodation is to be provided at the Manawatu and Family Hotels, at Foxton. A recommendation to rebuild the Marton Hitel was held in abeyance, the house meanwhile to be put in thorough repair. Several applications for renewals were adjourned for three minths. PARNELL. Last week, by the Parnell Licensing Committee the following licensees were granted renewals without any adverse comment: James R. D. Baker, Alexandra - Hotel, Parnell; George Hyde, Panmure Hotel, Panmure; Chas. Arthur Sansem, St. Helier’s Bay Hotel, St. Helier’s; Henry James Syms, Captain Cook Hotel, Newmarket ; Edward Blair, Carlton Club Hotel, Newmarket; Andrew John J. Meyer, Ellerslie Hotel; Frederick Tomlinson, Exchange Hotel, Parnell; Christopher Leek, Royal George Hotel, Newmarket; Thomas Loughman, Windsor Castle Hotel, Parnell. QHINEMURI. The annual meeting of the Ohnemuri Licensing Committee was held last week, the members present being: Mr. R. S. Bush, S.M. (Chairman), Messrs. Elley, Cock, Franklin, Tre/ise and Gavin. In nearly all cases the police reports were of a favourable nature. With regard to the Waihou Hotel it was reported that some papering was required, and the Waiorongomai, Hauraki, Waitekauri, Karangahake and Mackaytown Hotels were reported to need repairs and painting. Mr. Moresby, for the owners, said that in some cases they would be carried out to the satisfaction of the police. The police objected to a transfer of the license of the Mackaytown Hotel from W. Woodward to J. C. Crean. Mr. Porritt appeared for the applicant, and after consideration the transfer was granted. The licenses of all the hotels were granted on the same terms as last year.

EDEN. The Eden Licensing Committee held the annual meeting last Friday. Reduction having been carried in this electorate, which involves the closing of one house, much discussion took place as to which house should be closed. Eventually the Committee decided to adjourn until the 29th inst. In the meantime they intend paying a visit to the different houses with a view of seeing for themselves what should be done. The transfer of the license of the Epsom Hotel from H. A. Lloyd to George Bishop was agreed to. At the annual meeting of the Licensing Committee for Waikouaiti, in accordance with the verdict of the electors that there should be a reduction in the number of licenses, three licenses were refused—namely, the Golden Fleece, Waikouaiti, Gilmore’s Hotel, Dunback, and an accommodation house at Waianakarua. Just at the close it was mentioned that no application had been made for a license for Waihemo Hotel. The point was raised that in that case the Committee were only entitled to reduce the number by two others, instead of three licenses, and it is understood the Supreme Court will be moved to compel the Committee to grant a license to one of the hotels refused. The Grey Licensing Committee granted all licenses for 11 o’clock. The police reported good improvement in the conduct of the hotels. There was great scarcity of accommodation, but this would be remedied when two large and commodious hotels, now in course of erection, were completed. At Taieri seven applications for renewals were adjourned. The Committee intimated that in accordance with the result of the local option poll three of the licenses would be refused. At Blenheim last week a meeting elected a committee to wait on the Licensing Committee to ask that rebuilding be not demanded till after the next general election. The opinion was expressed that an injustice had been done.