ON CLOSING THE HOTELS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1898, 5 November 1913, Page 6

ON CLOSING THE HOTELS.

LICENSEES WILLING.

The executive of the Wellington Li-, censed Victuallers' Association met yesterday, afternoon, to consider the resolution passed the previous evening by tHe Wellington Branch of the Social Democratic Party, urging the closing of all hotels at the earliest possible moment. The following resolution was adopted;— "That the executive of the Wel- ■ ! lington Licensod Victuallers' Asso- / ciation will accept any decision arrived at in the interests or public L safoty regarding tho hotelß m the . city." Tho position of the hotels in time of civil strife is that, if a riot occurs, a Justico of tho Peaco may order any hotelkeeper in the immediate vicinity 'to close his bars. In tho caso of anticipated disturbance, two Justices may order the hotels -to be closod. If tho Riot Act is read, all the hotels in tho city must bo'closed immediately. A- deputation from tho New Zealand Alliance waited on the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luko) yesterday afternoon, to request him to tako the necessary steps jPS about the closing of hotels in the disturbed area during tho present unsottJftd, cjm/Htinn

city. In the course of his roply, tho Mayor' said lie had already taken tho necessary steps to have tho provisions of the law enforced where required. He was, however, thankful that the deputation had been thoughtful enough to bring tho mattor under his-notice.

Soven Hotels Temporarily Shut Down,

The bars of seven hotels wero temporarily closed last evening by instructions from tho Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luko, as a precaution against disorder following tho mass meeting at Newtown I'ark. "In connection with tho disturbed stato of tho city," stated Mr. Luko, "I fdlt it incumbent on me to close several hotels, namely, the Royal Tiger, the Victoria, the Prince of Wales, tlie Cricketers' Arms, and also the Cambridge, tho Caledonian, and .tho Trainway Hotels. This has been necessitated on account of conditions that may arise and from a desire to safeguard the interest of citizens.

"I want to express appreciation," added Mr. Luke, "of tlio very nico cooperation of the licensees in carrying out the instructions."

Tho hotels woro olosed at 7.80 p.m. and remained shut throughout tho rest of tho evening. They are, however, free to open their doors as usual this morning. Mr. Luke added that everything was ready to close up the bars of tho whole of tho hotels in the city should such a step bo found necessary, but he sincerely hoped and trusted that the temper of the people and the strain put on tho country would not necessitate any arbitrary proceedings.