THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 October 1901, Page 2

THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

The Licensing Act Amendment ,Bill is for the most part in the direction of amending tho machinery clauses of the existing law. The proposal to replace local option by provincial option has been discarded. The quorum of licensing committees has been reduced from five to four. Endorsement of licenses is left to the discretion of the Court, and endorsement is wiped out if no further endorsement is made within a year. Any person wrongfully representing himself a traveller is liable to a small penalty. A license cannot be transferred to other premises more than a quarter of a mile distant from former licensed premises. The use of materials deleterious to health, including anti-ferments in wdne, is prohibited, The transferee of a lease must be the holder of a lease for a term at not less than four years. Provision is made for the issue by the Colonial Secretary of licenses in tourist districts, but not in the King Country, licenses to be subject to conditions imposed by regulations. Clubs are brought under the Licensing Act in relation to inspection and to the sale of liquors. Any person convicted of an offence under the Licensing Act may appeal irrespective of the amount of the penalty. Tied houses are dealt with and an endeavour made to give effect to section 35 of the Amendment Act of 1895.