HERE AND THERE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1159, 27 June 1912, Page 22

HERE AND THERE.

Out of respect for the memory of the late Sir John Logan Campbell, the Auckland Licensed Victuallers closed their premises for two hours on Tuesday afternoon while the funeral of the “Father of Auckland” was in progress.

Mr Ernest Fathers, well known on the Thames and Waihi goldfields, has taken over the Caledonian Hotel, Napier.

Miss F. M. Paulsen, who has taken over the Terminus Hotel, New Plymouth, is eminently qualified to popularise this up-to-date house. Situated right at the Railway Station, and commanding ah extensive ocean view, the Terminus cannot fail to meet with the attention of travellers. The cuisine is a special feature under the new management, while the tariff is most reasonable, and every department is conducted on a firstclass scale. Her many friends will wish Miss Paulsen every success.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister the Government will not attempt to introduce any licensing legislation this session.

At Te Pohue Mr W. Prebble, who recently disposed of his interest in the Lake Hotel, and is about to leave that district, was entertained at a farewell social by the settlers. Mr Powell, of the Rock Station, pi esid ed, and a lengthy toast list was honoured. The chairman, on behalf of the Sheep Dog Trial Club, presented ""the guest with a solid leather brief bag, and Mr Steward, on behalf of several natives, handed Mr Prebble a handsome piece of greenstone as a mark of their appreciation.

The question of the constitution of licensing benches was discussed at the Federal Licensed Victuallers’ Conference at Adelaide, by the Hon. E. L. Klauer, M.L.C. He pointed out that an injustice was being done to the Trade in that any person connected with it could not sit upon the bench. Such a tribunal was necessary, as undesirable persons sometimes managed to get into the Trade. It should, however, be considered in the most democratic manner possible. Men who had been connected with the Trade knew the qualifications and characters of those who applied for entry into it. Three outside men should be appointed upon the bench —one a police magistrate, and two others with some knowledge of the condition of the licensed victuallers’ business. The two last-named need not necessarily be hotelkeepers or brewers, but should have some special means of knowing conditions among those who sold strong drinks. He moved —“That the present system of granting licenses, being unsatisfactory in certain States, this conference is of opinion that a permanent bench, similar to that in Victoria, should be established.” Mr F. B. Keogh (S.A.) seconded the motion. He said very often people who were opposed by the police were given power to sell liquor. • . .

With reference to a complaint being voiced in Christchurch about unregistered barmaids : being employed in private bars, a correspondent states that the practice does not obtain in Dunedin, for the reason that there are no private bars within the meaning of the Act. The bars in which unregistered barmaids are permitted by the Act are those which do not open direct into the street. Such bars have been abolished in Dunedin, and consequently only registered barmaids are employed.

The Hon.. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, in a speech at Christchurch, forshadowed legislation absolutely prohibiting the employment of barmaids.

When a man needs a policeman to takes him home he - is “real drunk,’ according to Judge Monroe/ of the •superior court of Los Angelos, U.S. The Judge’s opinion was*,. elicited ,dur'ink 'the trial of, the divorce action of Tacie M. Dudley against James B. Dudley, whom she charged with excessive use of intoxicants. “How drunk was he?” asked the judge., ‘A .policeman'had to bring him .home at night,” responded Mrs Dudley. “Then he was -real' drunk,” declared, the judge. . 7

Mr Ry A;, ’Grant, who is a .wellknown figure in HaWke’s Bay, has recently taken over the Club Hotel, Rahiatua, and under his capable management the hotel bids fair to become the leading house in the district. Visitors speak in high terms of the good treatment received at the hands of Mr and Mrs Grant.

At the meeting of the Waipawa Licensing Committee renewals wejre granted to the Sandford Arms Hotel. Onga Onga,. and the Sawyers’ Arms Hotel, Tikokinp. On account of objections to nearly every hotel in the district, from the Health Department, only one or two applications for renewal were granted, the rest being adjourned till the next quarterly meeting.

“If alcohol were really such a deadly poison as it is said to be, I ought to have been dead years ago. I am eighty-two, and I have taken a moderate amount of alcohol every day. I call that temperance, and I am temperate now, with all the temptations that surround me in the way of luncheons and dinners and other functions that the Lord Mayor is expected to attend.” —The Lord Mayor of London.

One of the special features at the meeting of the Westland LicensingCommittee was four applications for a new publican’s license at Waiuta. There was a full bar engaged, but the Committee had not received authority from the Governor-in-Council to deal with the application. Petitions had been returned without obtaining approval, or an Order-in-Council authorising the hearing of applications. The Committee unanimously decided to treat all applications alike and their applications were all refused. LICENSING BENCH PROCEEDINGS. The hearing of the objection lodged by the police against the renewal of the license of F. C. Bass, as licensee of the Prince Arthur Hotel, Auckland, was heard last week be-

fore the Bipenging.Bjench. ;.j - • Evidence was given by a number ot police: .officials that they, had had the . hotel, , under qbservatipn. .‘since January last. The “bottle and jugdepartment,”' they complained,, was largely patronised by; women of bad .repute,: AH the witnesses admitted, however, that when complaint was . made to the licensee he at once ’’ brought about an improvement, and the hotel had of late been well conducted. Dr. Bamford, who appeared for' the licenese, admitted that the police had given their evidence in perfect fairness. It was only during February and March, in. the last of the evening, between nine and ten o’clock, that certain women had fallen into the habit of; visiting what was known as the bottle and jug department. As soon as the;licensee’s attention was called to this fact he

had at once put a stop to it. Otherwise, Dr. Bamford, contended, the evidence showed that the hotel had been well conducted. The Chairman (Mr E. C. Cutten. S.M.) said that between January and March the conduct of the hotel was such that if the circumstances had been placed before the LicensingBench at the time it was probable that the license would not have been renewed. The application would now be granted, but if any further complaints were made concerning the hotel the circumstances of the present case would be borne in mind. i nn»—»» , 1