THE LICENSING MUDDLE.

Evening Star, Issue 3377, 16 December 1873, Page 2

THE LICENSING MUDDLE.

To-day at noon the Incensing Bench were to have reassembled and endeavored to gut over the difficulty which faced them at their last, meeting, but wlten Mr Strodc’s cases were over, mo Justices put in an appearance. After the lapse of a few minutes Mr Strode reappeared on the Bench, and the following colloquy took place : -Mr Strode: I understand that there was to have been an adjourned licensing sitting to-day. I don’t know anything about it. Mr Watt is not here, neither are any Justices of the Peace. —Mr Harris: I presume in that case the proceedings will lapse. -Mr Haggitt; The Superintendent has power to act. -Mr Strode ; I presume so. —Mr Harris : If there he no meeting to-day of course ail new applications will stand over until the next meeting in March or April. Mr Strode : T understand it was the opinion of the Justices that no meeting can bo held ; that they had no business here in fact. -Mr E. 1 ook : I would ask your Worship to report to the Superintendent that there lias been no meeting; that seems to be the course under the Ordinance. Mr Strode: Yes, under the Ordinance, but the question is, is it under the Act ? -Mr (’ook : It docs not come under the Ordinance at all, or how comes your Worship to be here ’—Mr Strode : 1 only came down stairs out of courtesy to the profession. I am not here as the Resident Magistrate, who is to ho chairman of the Licensing Uun t, appointed under the Act. None has yet been appointed.—Mr Cook pressed his application. M r Strode : 1 cannot take any notice of the Ordinance. -Mr Harris expected the Press would convey the intimation to his Honor that Mr Cook required.--Mr Stewart said it did not appear that the Superintendent had power to act. -Mr Strode : Really, Mr Stewart, I am not responsible for whether he can or can not- -Mr Harris : 1 should like to know for whom Mr Stewart appears. On the former occasion it was very duubtlul.- - Mr Stewart was understood to say for those who advocated temperance. —Mr Strode repeated his opinion that no Court could sit, and left the Bench.