THE HOTELS CLOSED EN BLOC.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1911, 20 November 1913, Page 8

THE HOTELS CLOSED EN BLOC.

TO REMAIN SHUT TO-DAY. CUUB CHARTERS SUSPENDED, The decisive step of closing all hotels in the city was taken yesterday by the Mayor (Mr. J. I*. Luke), and the hotels will also be closed to-day. There were signs of impending trouble, and the Mayor dcefned it wise to «sorcise his authority, and to follow the example of the Auckland' Magistrates. . Yesterday morning, notice was sewed <\oH the licensee of every hotel in'the- Wellington Licensing District, couched in the usual terms:—-"Whereas a tumult is anticipated in the vicinity <rf licensed premises occupied by you," <;tc, The notices ordered all licensed premises to bo closed .from II a.m. until 10 p.W.*the usual hour of closing. The same order was served on all clubs holding a. charter to sell liquor. It was signed by the Mayor aiid the. Town Clerk (Mr. J. 11. Palmer) in their capacity as Justices of the 'Peace. . ■ The Licensed Victuallers' Association had some time ago passed a resolution to abide cheerfully by any such order, and all the hotels'were closed without hesitation. The licensees recognise that the authorities, have to take every precaution to maintain order, and safeguard the city and its inhabitants from the' consequences of lawlessness. The botelkeepers must, of course, suffer loss, as they have still to pay wages and meet charges for rent, etc., without receiving any return. Quite a number of the general public were surprised to learn towards midday that the could not supply their. wants, and many suddenly realised what s hot day it was. The ■closing of the hotels, however, was genet" ally received in the .'best spirit. Most people recognised that the authorities would not have- acted in such a- manner unless they fiad good reason for doing so.' A natural consequence was the increased business of soda fountains and ''soft drink" shops, which were thronged during the hotter hours oi the day Many men were initiated into the mysteries of egg-flip:, milk-shake, and ice-cream soda for aoout the first time yesterday. One enterprising tradesmail hung out the conspicuous sign, "The hotels arts closed; soft drinks sold hero." '. 'Hie Mnytor last night stated that he cduld not say how bug the hotels would be chased, as the question ivould bo determined from day to day, according i v The Mayor's Statement. Yesterday Mr.'Lu-ko made the following 'statement to the Press:—"l feel that on supremo occasions We ought to work out our differences with a toutual regard-'to tlio-figfe ofeach-othe.ri 'The recurrence 'of disorderly conduct' this morning, and one or two.events which have occurred during the week, has convinced me that nothing short of the closing of the whole of tiro hotels in tie . eity will secure to the citizens the bestconditions. While I' am saying this T want to express my appreciation of the very .loyal support accorded ino hy the .Licensed Victuallers'. Association, and also by the hoteikeopers as a body. . But it, seems impossible for the whole of the licensees to co.p.e with sudden cpn- ' diiions. The liquor sold may be only an adjunct towards the trouble, and possibly not the major facfor, but it is my duty to secure the best interests of the citizens, and to remove any aftd every element that nifty he & source of 'danger to the- public peace. "In reference to the clubs, I was not. quite suro as to my powers. . I waited Upon the Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, •on .whose authority charters for clubs are granted, and he readily supported my application that the wholo of the clubs in the city of Wellington should suspend their charters as far as.the sale fif liquor is concerned, and their action will synchro* nrse in every particular with any action that I may take in reference to hotels."