THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 32, 6 December 1873, Page 8

THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

Thb new Licensing Act was very fully discussed at the Quarterly Licensing Meeting held at Dunedin on the 2nd insfc. There was a large number of applications for transfers and general licenses, but before the business was proceeded with, the presiding Magistrate (Mr I. N. Watt) intimated that the Bench were of opinion that it was out of their power to grant any new licenses whatever. Messrs Harris, Haggitt, and E. Cook, who appeared on behalf of applicants for new licenses, took exception to this view, and the Bench agreed to formally call three applications for new licenses to give counsel an opportunity of arguing tlio question. After considerable discussion, the Bench adopted a suggestion thrown out by Mr Harris, and resolved to adjourn all tie business before them for a fortnight, in order that the opinion of the Attorney- General might be obtained in the meantime. Mr Watt stated that the Bench, after hearing the arguments adduced, had modified their views to a certain extent, as they were now of opinion that they were not only unable to grant new licenses, but were also without authority to even grant transfers from person to person.