LICENSING MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 656, 7 June 1882, Page 3

LICENSING MEETING.

The committee of the Ashburton Liccn

sing district held its annual meeting at the Tinwald Temperance Hall to-day. The members in attendance were—Messrs Grigg (chairman), Zouch, Ivess, H. T. Winter, and D. McLean. Mr Ireland, on behalf of James Quigley, applied for a new license for a house to be erected on a corner section of Graham’s road, arguing that at present Mr Scott, of the Tinwald Hotel, held a monopoly, and from the number of signatures to a petition in favor of the application it

would bo seen that the ratepayers wished for a second hotel. Mr Ireland handed in the plans of the proposed house, which was to contain twenty-three rooms.—Sergeant Felton stated that the police were going to object to any new licenses.—Mr Branson asked that no decision would be come to by the Commissioners until other applications were heard.—Mr Crisp pointed out that such a course as Mr Branson suggested was the one usually followed. —The Chairman stated that the Bench would first decide whether any new licenses were to bo granted or not.— Mr Branson, before the Bench retired, would like to be beard in favor of his client’s application, and spoke in favor of Mr Oliver having the license of the Wheatsheaf Hotel transferred to a new house at Tinwald. Mr Bianson argued that his client’s application should receive prior attention than an entirely new application.—Mr Crisp spoke in favor of new licenses in the locality. Under the new law he argued that the police’s objections, which had been put in did not hold good, seeing that the ratepayers in the district had decided by poll that an increase of licenses should be allowed. Comparing the size of the Ashburton and Borough districts respectively, there was certainly a greater demand for an increase of licenses in the former.— —The Chairman said that the Act did not state that the poll would affect a particular locality, but affected the whole district. There might be a necessity for more hotels in other parts of the district, but perhaps not in the Tinwald township, and this was for the Committee to decide.

—Sergeant Felton said the objections of the police were that there was sufficient accommodation at the present hotel. Some two years ago, when other applications were put in for fresh licenses, there was an objection made to Mr Scott’s renewal, because there was not sufficient accommodation in his hotel, and it was then stated that if Mr Scott did not improve his premises new licenses would be granted to other persona. Mr Scott had since complied with all the demands made on him, and Sergeant Felton made some very complimentary references to the manner in which the Tinwald hotel was conducted and the general appointments of the building. The police did not object to fresh hotels if the accommodation was demanded, but this was not so. The issue of mw licenses would only increase drink-

ing facilities, which ceitainly were not required.—Mr Branson then, at length, replied, in which he stated that the Commissioners were under the thumb of the police, and because the police objected, the Commissioners felt in duty bound to refuse fresh licenses.—Mr Crisp also argued in favor of his client’s application, and submitted that Sergeant Felton had no better opportunity of knowing whether fresh licenses were required than any other person. The refusal of these fresh applications was certainly granting a monopoly to Mr Scott.—Mr Ireland also replied, and remarked that the sooner the powers which were placed in the hands of the police in this matter were taken away the better.—ln connection with the applications for new licenses referred to, Mr Crisp appeared for Mr Devane; Mr Branson for Mr Oliver ; and Mr Ireland for Mr Quigly.—After retiring for a short time, the Commissioners returned to the Bench, and stated that they had come to the determination that no new license? should be granted. Tinwald Motel.—The police having no objection, the application for renewal was

granted. Wheatstone Hotel.—Application lor re newal granted.

Watorton Hotel.—The police stated that this house was well furnished, and had plenty of accommodation, but. Sergeant Felton remarked that a true bill had been

found against Mr O'Shanassy, the applicant, for a charge of violent assault, and would take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, Otherwise there

was nothing further to remark.—The Bench, after retiring, stated that the license would bo renewed, but cautioned Mr O’Shanassy to exercise discretion in the future. At present they did not wish to prejudice the case pending. Iliiulhiine Hotel.—Mr Branson, on behalf of Mrs Woodley, applied for a transfer of the license of the itindliopc

Hotel from Mr Baldwin to the present applicant. The police report was favorable, and the transfer was granted.

Railway Hotel, Winslow,—No objection. Application for renewal granted. In reply to the Bench, Sergeant Felton stated that no convictions had been recorded against the proprietor of the Tinwald Hotel during the last twelve months. Afler sundry other business of minor importance, the sitting terminated.