ASHBURTON HOTELS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1333, 4 September 1886, Page 3

ASHBURTON HOTELS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Kindly permit me through tl a medium of your columns to pass a few remarks 8 in connection with the above. At a mee'ing 3 of the Licensing Committee tor the Borough 1 of Ashburton, whiih vas held on the Ist imt. * an application was made on behalf of the • whole of the owners of licensed premises within the Borough for an extension of license from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. The decision arrived at by the Commissioners was rather a singular one, and is open for the criticism of all lovers of fair play. I will quote it, for the benefit of your readers : —“ The extension will be granted to all with the exception of the Somerset and Ashburton—not because of any misdeeds on the part of the present licensees, as the Bench is well pleased with their management, but to mark the Bench’s dis. approval of the conduct of the houses in the past.” I think, sir, the public in general are not so void of common sense, and their shaiS of perceptions is not so small, as not to sie through this decision at a glance. We can read it this way;—Now, Johnny, you are a fOodboy, and I like your conduct well; but the lad who lived in your house before you came there used to sling stones at the neighbour’s windows, and you will have to suffer for the next twelve months for his offences, Now, sir, if this is measuring out with an honest yard I fear that Craighead and Co. with all their scientific cutting will have Mr Henry and Batman’s coats too tight. I take it for granted that the licensees of the Ashburton and Somerset Hotels have their difficulties to meet with in the way of living as well as other men ; and in these bad times, when business is dull, it is unfair to curb their liberties, especially as the conduct of their houses is giving general satisfaction. It is apparent that there is a screw loose somewhere in connection with this matter, and to put it in the mildest form it must be regarded as an error in judgment, and it is to be hoped ] the earliest opportunity will be taken to rectify it. Administrators of justice would do well by keeping the following lines in memory;— In that hour of deep contrition, He beheld, with clearer vision, Through all outward show and fashion, Justice, the avenger, rise. Hoping you will excuse me for trespassing so much on yoitr valuable space.— I am, etc., A Lover of Fair Play, 1