THE LICENSING ACT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1056, 14 July 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING ACT.

Turn following will prove of interest to Licensing Committees generally : A difficulty having arisen over the interpretation ot tho Licensing Act of last session one of ihe Committees in the Wellington district addressed tho following communication recently to tho Department of Just ee : The Minister of Justice will be pleased to cause answers to be given to the following questions, as a difference of opinion appears to exist : 1. Is a committee justified in holding an e’ection under the local option clauses, secti ui 45, and outside of the Licensing district ? 2. Can a committee legally adjudicate at any meetdig outside the district, when no Court house exists within the district, vide sub-section 13. sections 13 and 40 ? 3. Is a chahman of a committee justified in confirming, by his signature only, a licensing certificate, as directed by subsection 22, section 13, although tho form of a oeitificatu (schedule 6) di-cots otherwise? To this tlie following reply was received : • Department of Justice. Wellington, June 27. 1882. Sir, — In reply to your mem u-andmu of the 25 hj hist., I have the lonour, by direction ot the Minis, er of J istice, to inform you that as licensing co nuiit-ees are bodies poisessi tg judicial functions, they ace not entitled to he advised bv the Exeeutve Government as to the performance of their duties.—l have, etc-, C. J. A. Haselden , For the Under-Secretary.