THE NORSEWOOD LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3719, 16 June 1883, Page 3

THE NORSEWOOD LICENSING COMMITTEE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir, —In the leading article of the Daily Telegraph of the 11th inst., you_ very justly remark that the power vested in the local"Licensing Committees is not conclusive to the comfort of the travelling public, as seen by the recent decision of the Norsewood Licensing Committee respecting Mr Stevens' house at Makotoku; but still, although the Committee at large deserves blame, two of the members, to my certain knowledge, held that the license could be legally granted without interfering with the local option poll taken last year (the issue of such poll being mainly due to a certain faction in our community, the Rechabites and Good Templars, very respectable people in a way, but on account of their own one-sided opinions totally unfit to deal with a licensing question), the same two members being also of the opinion that tho house was urgently required. The chairman, a leading Rechabite, whoso principal interests do not lie within the district, influenced by his remarks tho two other members, also Reohabites, one of whom seemed wavering, to vote against the license being granted, the result being a refusal by one vote, two being in favor and three against. Sir, if our, or any other member in the House of Representatives would introduce an amendment to the Licensing Act restoring to the Public Works Department the power of granting licenses for refreshment rooms and accommodation, wherever required, on or near railway stations, etc., and not let the travelling public be inconvenienced by nar-row-minded and bigoltcd opinions held by local people, such member would confer a great benefit on travellers generally, and nof, in most cases, cause any inconvenience or annoyances to tho local population. The members of Parliament will be some of the principal sufferers, as they arc compelled to travel often and long distances, and consequently will be able to speak feelingly on the subject.—l am, ifcc., N.S.D. Makatoku, June 15, 1883.