WAIAPU LICENSING BENCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 383, 7 April 1902, Page 1

WAIAPU LICENSING BENCH.

The adjourned quarterly meeting of the Waiapu Licensing Bench was held on Saturday. Present . Mr W. A. Barton* S.M. (Chairman), Mrs >Sievwright, and Messrs Macfarlane, Gray, and Hepburn. Transfers were granted as follows : Te Karaka Hotel, W. B. Oman to Lancelot Charles Allen ; Murewai Hotel, Wm. L. Hackelt to William A. Hodge ; Kaiteratahi Hotel, Anglesou Edward Adams to William Law. A conditional license for the Mata, wliero Saleyards for the 17 th inst. was granted to John Hodgson Absinthe.

Extension of time for the erection of the British Empire Hotel was allowed. Mr Jones, for the applicant, stated the building would be completed before the next quarterly meeting. An extension of time was also granted for the Gisborne Hotel, it being stated that the hotel would be ready by the Ist May' Constable Kennedy (Wairoa) reported that the improvements to the Ferry Hotel were completed. The hotel was in first-class order. The stable at the Nuhaka Springs Hotel had not been

built, for which extensions of time had been granted. The roads had keen in first-class order for carting of material. He trusted the Committee would insist on the stable being built. —'The Chairman said the Bench would

like it to be clearly understood that when they imposed conditions they required them to be carried out.—Notice to be sent to the licensee and owner to show cause at next quarterly meeting why the license should not be cancelled.

The owners of the Argyll Hotel ap-

plied for extension of time for the reerection of this hotel until June 6th, owing to unavoidable delay in connection with the alteration of the plans —tenders for the work having to be obtained outside the district, and the difficulty of obtaining suitable materials in Gisborne. Mr G. 11. Lysnar appeared in support of the application. Sergeant Siddells said lie understood that the owners had decided to do away with the balcony. If this were so, he strongly recommended that provision be made for fire escapes outside the ordinary ropes and ladders. He opposed the granting of the license until proper provision was made. The Chairman said in regard to a rumor that the owner was departing

from the plans, he said to Mr Lysnar that the license was granted conditionally on the plans being carried out as submitted to the Bench .to a reasonable degree. Mr Lysnar informed him no alteration in the plans had been made. Of course the Bench had no right to listen to rumors, but he thought it was right to warn the owners they should he careful in making any departure. Sergeant Siddells said he believed a departure had been made in the plans. The Chairman : They have no right whatever to do it. The license was granted for a new house in accordance with the plans submitted to us. If this is not done they will have to answer to us at the next annual meeting, and it will be for the Committee to say whether we shall grant the license unless the house is built in accordance with the plans.

Mr Lysnar said when Mr Barton had mentioned about the proposed alteration it came as a surprise to him, lie knew nothing about it. Mr Sherratt was out of town, and he was unable to discuss the matter with him. He had no instructions to act on, but he might intimate that the house would ,be finished to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Chairman said it had been stated the balcony would be done away with altogether, but the Bench would require the house to be done in accordance with the plans. Mr Lysnar asked, if a deviation had been made, would the Bench grant an adjournment of the application to see the reasons for the alterations. The Chairman l&If an alteration has been made, the owners should have applied to us for permission to do so. Mr Lysnar said he was unable to communicate with Mr Sherratt, who was away up the coast. It was decided to adjourn the meeting of the Bench, and to delay consideration of the application to the 19th inst. at noon. Mr Jones : The decision of the Bench does not apply to those owners who are improving on the plans ? The Chairman : You may increase, •but not, reduce. ■ Sergeant Siddells said lie understood the Gisborne and British Empire Hotels were improving on their plans.