THE NEW LIQUOR BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 242, 21 October 1901, Page 3

THE NEW LIQUOR BILL.

ENDORSEMENT UK LICENSES. | IMPORTANT PItOVTS IONS REGARD- j ING CLUBS. [Special to Timkb.| Wellington, Saturday. j The Licensing Act Amendment Bill has | been circulated. Tho quorum of licensing committees is fixed at four. With respect to tho recording or endorsing of convictions on licenses, tlid follow- j ing provisions shall apply:—l. In every case where, under the Licensing Acts, it is } directed that a conviction shall be recorded i or endorsed on a license, the convicting Court shall have a discretion to endorse or not to record or endorse tho conviction, | as the Court deems lit. *2. In exercising .' i:» discretion tho Court- shall have regard j < to the special circumsLaucos of the case, . and the degree of moral blame imputable < ' -i-ch* convicted licensee. .*>. The record r endorsement, if mado before the pass- < tug of tho Act, shall lapse, and be deemed I ' to be cancelled if at the expiration of I twelve months from the date of the con- j 1 ▼lotion so recorded or endorse 1 another j conviction has not been recorded on the license. 4. Nothing in this section shall j affect the provisions of sections 200 and i 207 of the principal Act relating to tho | , disqualification oi persons and premises. j Every person who for tho purpose of obtaining liquor falsely represents himself io be a bona-fide, traveller is liable to n 1 penalty not exceeding .£lO, and not less l than XL 1

In any c-ftso where, owing to a publican's or accommodation license ceasing to exist iu a district, a new license may bo granted by the licensing committee, such new license shall not, until after the taking of tho next ensuing local option poll, be granted in respect of premises situated more. than a-quarter of ft mile from aim site of the premises in respect of v, uicli the first-mentioned license was granted. Tho Governor is to hava power to declare what are injurious ingredients in the manufacture of liquors. Salicylic acid, or any other autiforiueut, in tho manufacture of New Zealand wine, is prohibited. In regard to licenses in tourist districts, the special places shall bo specified by the Gorernor by notice in tho Gazette, but •ball in no case comprise any portion of the liohepotuo (commonly known as the King Country). Licenses granted under this section shall not bo deemed to be granted in a licensing district. The Colonial Secretary shall, with respect to licenses, licensees, and licensed premises, under this section, have all she powers which are possessed by a licensing committee. or its members, with respect to licenses, licensees, and licensed premises other than under this section.

Anv person who sends a child under the age of 13 years to any licensed house for anv liquor shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £lO.

All clubs holding a charter under section 229 of the principal Act shall be subjected to the provisions of the Licensing Acts relating to inspection and to the sale of liquors. Charters under that section shall hereafter be granted by the licensing committee instead of by tho Colonial Secretary, and no charter shall be granted unless the licensing eommitteo is satisfied that the club will have a suitably-appointed library and readingroom.

The licensing committee in the ease ot licenses granted by it, and the Colonial Secretary, in the case of tourist district licenses granted by him. may from time to time, by certificate, authorise the licensee to' wholly or partially close his licensed premises, or suspend his business as licensee during any specified period of the vear.

hi regard to " tied " houses, it is provided that in every case where a rent is reserved under a lease of premises licensed cr to be licensed, and the lessor has in any wav arranged or agreed to abate the same, or refused any part thereof, tn consideration of the lessee purchasing any liquor or goods exclusively from the lessor, or some person named by the lessor, then the covenant or agreement to pay tne rent shall, to the extent of such abatement or refund, be deemed to be a covenant or agreement within the meaning of sub-section 5 of section 35 of the amendment Act, and the instrument of lease may be rectified as provided in that subsection,