WHOLESALE LICENSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 436, 7 June 1902, Page 3

WHOLESALE LICENSES.

APPLICATION FOR NEW LICENSE GRANTED. At the annual meeting of the Waiapu Licensing Bencli yesterday an application was made by Mr John Sheridan, forwhom Mr R. N. Jones appeared, asking that a wholesale license be granted to him. Mr Burton said ho bad been in doubt upon reading section 3 of the Act of 1895 as to whether tho Committeo had power to increase tho number of wholosale licenses, but section 22 was pointed out to him, which placed a different complexion on it. Ho was inclined to think that tho Committee had tho power if they were in favor of increasing the number. Mr Jones said as a matter of fact wholesale licenses had been granted under the same circumstances in other parts of tho colony. There was power under tho Act to grant them. The Chairman : What is done in other parts of the colony cannot affect tho action pf this Committee.

Mr Jones: I might point out that wholesale licenses are in a different position to tho ordinary retail licenses. Mr Sheridan has acted as agent for some time for wine and spirit merchants, but he could not keep any stock on tho premises, and could only take orders. Thera had been four licenses in Gisborno a short timo back, including tho old Poverty Bay Co operative Association. The Chairman : That lapsed in 1898. Mr Jones said there had only been three since. Mr Sheridan did not keep stock, and could only order under the cireumstanees. It being a new application, it was better to bring it before the whole Committee. The Chairman: It is desirable that all such applications should come beforo the Committee. Mr Jones said he bad advised Mr Sheridan to wait until the annual meeting for his application. There was no objection to Mr Sheridan as a business man, and the issuing of a wholesale license could not be considered an increase. There would be no more drinking, and it would simply be a convenience for Mr Sheridan to deal with customers. The same amount of liquor would be passed through his hands. Mrs Sievwright opposed the application being granted. The Chairman consulted for a few minutes with the other members, and finally remarked : “ The majority of members are in favor of granting tho application.” The application was accordingly granted.