LICENSING CASES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 126, 7 June 1901, Page 2

LICENSING CASES.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. In reference to the hotels objected to yosterday by the police, the Licensing Committee to-day decided to grant renewals to His Lordship's, Prince of Wales, Zetland Arms, Carlton, Foresters, • Shades and Provincial Hotels, but imposed a condition that most of these houses have to be re-built. A point was raised in connection with an application by Mark Davies for a wholesale license. Counsel said the application would probably be opposed. The Chairman replied ; “ He was of opinion that tho Committee had no power to refuse to grant as many wholesale licenses as might be applied for, provided the character of applicants was satisfactory. A similar application had been refused by a Southern Licensing Committee, and tho matter was argued before the Court of Appeal. The result- was that the Committee was directed to issue a license. He had in his possession a letter from Dr. Findlay, who was engaged when this case was argued, to tho effect that, as the result of the decision, no Committee had power to refuse to grant wholesale licenses.” A resident object to tho application on the ground that the granting of the license would increase the number .of licenses, in spite of the local option poll. The Chairman said that the Supreme Court had decided the question, and the Committee was bound to follow. He then granted tho ; application. This is in exact contradiction of the recent decision of Mr Haselden, S.M., at Wellington.