WAIAPU LICENSING BENCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 1

WAIAPU LICENSING BENCH.

QUARTERLY MEETING.

The quarterly meeting of the Waiapu Licensing Committee was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs W. A. Barton, S. M. (Chairman), Maefarlane, Hepburn, Gray, Bellerby, and Mrs Sievwright. POLICE JiEPOKT. Sergeant- Siddells reported that during the past- quarter the hotels had been com ducted in a satisfactory manner, and no complaints whatever had reached him. He observed a marked improvement in many of the outlying houses. The new house ordered at Muriwai was almost completed. Up to the present no attempt had been made to re-build the British Empire, Argyll, and Gisborne Hotels. Constable T. Donovan, Tolago Bay, reported on the improvements to be effected at the l’akarae and Tolago Bay Hotels. The cesspits at the latter hotel had been discontinued and the pan system adopted. The Pakarae Hotel improvements were not iinished, as the liceusee could not get the material landed, owing to rou'di weather. Constable lvellv. Port Awanni. rn-

ported that the improvements to th Tuparoa Hotel had been carried out. I’h premises were in good order, and acooir modation satisfactory. Constable Kennedy, Wairoa, reported i connection with the Ferry Hotel, Wairor stating that the improvements ordcrc had not boon carried out owing to diflicul ties in getting material, and suggestinj that an extension be given to the nex quarterly meeting ; extension granted With regard to Marumaru Hotel the eon stable said the improvements had beet satisfactorily carried out. TRANSFERS. Temporary transfers were granted as follows : —Tolago Bay Hotel, Willian: Frederick Sinclair to George Watkins (Mi Jones for applicant) ; Tatapouri Hotel W. Bailey to Clement H. Burdett (Ml Nolan for applicant). The following transfers were granted: . George Cottrell to Joseph John Martin, Te Puka Hotel, Tokomaru (Mr Jones for applicant); George Brown Oman to Edgar Swinnerton, the Hot Springs Hotel, Whatatutu (Mr Eysnar for applicant); \\ illiam Gault to George Brown Oman, Argyll Hotel (Mr Lysnar for applicant). CONDITIONAL LICENSE. An application for a conditional license to John Hodgson Aislabie, Matawhcro Saleyards, for the 3rd of October, was granted. THE ARGYLL HOTEL. An application was made on behalf of the owners of tbo Argyll Hotel and the licensee (G. B. Oman), to vary or alter the plans for a now building in place or the present Argyll Hotel buildings as submitted to the Committee when the granting of a new license was made conditionally in June last by the Committee, upon the grounds, inter alia —(1) That it is desired by the owners of the said hotel to extend and enlarge the building to that originally proposed, and to convert portion of the premises originally intended for the hotel into shops and offices; (2) that by the proposed alteration certain portions of the present buildi ing will bo left standing, but the portion proposed to bo left is of first-class timber and iron, thoroughly sound in every respect, all the present lining being taken away and replaced by new ; (3) that by the proposed alterations about one-third more accommodation will be obtained for the said Argyll Hotel than would be obtained by the plan already approved of by your committee as aforesaid ; (4) and upon the grounds contained in the reports of Messrs C. Tilleard Natusch, architect, J. Townley, cabinetmaker, J. Warren, County flierk, and ,J. Little, Building Inspector for the Borough of Gisborne, and such other grounds and evidence as may bo placed before the committee. Mr W. D. Lysnar appeared in support ot the application. A report on the building was read from Mr Tilleard Natusch. A joint report was also submitted from Messrs J. Warren and J. R. Little, who stated that the studs, joists, ceilings, and flooring were of first-class kauri, showing no sign of decay. Mr Lysnar said they had the different parties who made the reports, if it were necessary to question them. The Chairman said he had looked over the plans, but the other members had not had an opportunity. Mr Lysnar said if there was any doubt the building could be inspected. The Chairman : You really ask us to re-cousider a decision arrived at at the annual meeting. Mr Lysnar : It is not a re-consideration —it is only an alteration in the plans. The Chairman said they had ordered that the building be pulled down entirely. By their actions the owners had admitted that the building was unsuitable. Mr Lysnar said it was only really the studs and the walls that would be left. The Chairman thought it would be impossible to see the whole of the studs. Mr Lysnar said the shops at the corner would be all taken away, and a clean sweep made. Coleman's and Miller's would be swept away, and new places made. The whole of the ground floor would be new. The frontage would be extended from 60ft to 133 ft. It would be better for the people living thorp, and add to the appearance of the place. It would be found that what was asked was practicable and proper. It was not desired to leave any unsound timber. The Committee surely would not ask any unreasonable thing. They offered by the alterations one-third more accommodation than was formerly offered to the Committee. If they proposed a larger and better building it would not be traversing the former decision to grant the application. When the Committee saw the building they would be satisfied that the alterations would be better for the hotel and district. The meeting was adjourned till 2.30, in order to allow the Bench an opportunity to inspect the building. On resuming, the Chairman said that the Bench, after viewing the premises, had decided to grant the application, the building to be erected according to the plans, and certain alterations as pointed out by the Bench to remain as at present. The new plan showed a great improvement on the one submitted at the annual meeting. THE IIHITISH EMPIRE. A similar application was made by Mr Jones in regard to the British Empire Hotel. The objection originally made was that the lining in some of the rooms was bad. He had not a plan prepared. It was proposed to newly line the building, and replace anything doubtful, enlarging the rooms referred to by the Sergeant in his report. The building was of kauri, and one part was entirely fiew. He had a pencil plan prepared. The Chairman thought Mr Jones had better put his application in writing. Mr Jones said the only thing was the delay which might be caused. The Chairman : There is really nothing for the Bench but the verbal ap. plication. Mr Jones understood there was no necessity to put an application of the kind in writing. The Chairman : I think it is desirable. The meeting might bo adjourned to Monday. r The Bench decided to adjourn till l 10.30 a.m. on Monday, the members meeting first at 10 o’clock for the purpose of inspecting the building.