RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2133, 8 March 1870, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

This ! 'ay. (Bafore James Fulton, Esq., R.M., and Ceo. Prodie, Ksqs., J.P.) Adjourned Licensing Meeting. The application of John T. Roberts for a license to a house in Fmth street, at the corner of Forth street and Albany street, was c nsideivd. Mr Harris supported the application, which was opposed by the Commissioner of Poll e, on the ground that there was no neces ity for the house, and that the residents in the neighborhood considered a public-house there would be very objectionable. In Albany street there were two licensed public-houses and two stores holding bottle licenses. A petition was presented, signed by most of the people inhabiting the neighborhood, objecting to it. and Mr Reid appeared in support of the allegations of the petition. He was questioned by Mr Harris as to the ground of his objection, and in answer to Mr Harris’s statement that there was a population of 600 in Forth street across the Water of Leith, he said he could not believe there were half that number. He knew there were many sly grog shanties, hut he did not think a licensed house would have any tendency to check the evil. There were two day and two Sunday schools in the neighborhood. Mr Harris addressed the Bench on behalf of the app’icant. He urged that it was far better to have a respectab’e licensed house than storekeepers selling under a bottle license or the demoralising grog shanties. There were 600 inhabitants in that district, and no pnblichouse, and he was strongly of op nion that a licensed house respectably conducted would tend to check the evil that was rapidly spreading of sly grog selling. He did nt know that the schools should be an impediment, as it was no uncommon thing for a public house to be in the immediate neighbourhood of a" church without inconvenience arising. Mr Fulton remarked, in regard to licensed houses, his experience was that licensing had not the effect of stopping sly-grog sal s by holders of bottle licenses. He knew of a case where a storok* eper held a bottle license next door to a public house, and people went and drmk there who would be ashamed to be seen drinking in the publichouse. The bottle licenses were a curse to the Country, and lie was surprised the Provincial Conned could not see it. In the face of that petition, and the representations made, the Bench decided to refuse the license. License refused.

The applicat'on of John Bland, for a license to the Eagle Tavern, was objected to by the Commissioner of Police, on the ground that it was not required. There was no opposition on the ground of personal objection to the applicant, It appeared that the house had been licensed previously, but the license had been withdrawn on account of the mismanagement by the tlnn occupier. Mr Hairis supported the application. Mr Mee was the only objector, who, on examination by Mr Harris, admitted that he had two licensed houses—-one in Stafford street, whore this house was represented to be, and another in George street. Application granted.