A CURIOUS TANGLE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1010, 15 July 1909, Page 22

A CURIOUS TANGLE.

A peculiar position has arisen in connection with the possession of the Caledonian Hotel, Alexandra (says the local “Herald”). At the annual meeting of the Tuapeka Licensing Committee an application was made for the transfer of the license from Tate to Barker, but owing to the youthful age of the latter the application was declined. The owner of the property (Francis Gorman) then lodged an application as a protection against the forfeiture of the license, and at the adjourned meeting of the committee on the 25th ult., three applications for the same house were dealt with, the outcome of which was that the license was granted to Mr. Gorman. The day before the granting of this application Messrs. Speight and Company, who hold a mortgage over the furniture and stock against the former licensee, stepped in and took possession of the hotel, which their bailiff held till the 30th ult. On the Ist inst, Mr. Gorman then sought possession, he having been granted the license. The result was that the main bar was closed, and Mr. Gorman was obliged to open a bar In another room. Speight’s bailiff now holds possession of the main bar under lock and key, whilst Mr. Gorman is carrying on his business in another portion of the house. In all probability more will be heard of the matter shortly, when the Supreme Court will be asked to decide as to who shall have possession.