CONDUCT OF HOTELS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 688, 6 December 1902, Page 3

CONDUCT OF HOTELS.

A FIRST-CLASS POLICE REPORT,

At tho quarterly meeting of tho Waiapu Licensing Bench yesterday Sergt. Siddolls submitted tho following report in regard to the link L of the di.-triet •‘All tho hotels in tho district are in first-class condition, and as far as I can

judge are being conducted in a respectable, orderly manner. This applies specially to tho town of Gisborne, where dining the past year very large and expensive improvements have been made. I think I am justified in saying that the licensed houses in Gisborne arc a credit to the town, and it is to be hoped that the conducting of them in tho future will be oquully creditable. All improvements ordered have been well carried out, and I have nothing in tho way of improvements to suggest. Mr J. Martin, licensee of the Royal Hotel, Gisborne, has been prosecuted and convicted for Sunday trading. This matter will bo brought before you at the annual meeting. I some time back drew attention to tho want of attention at some of the country hotells, and .regret to again have to mention tho matter. One matter that is tho cause of constant complaint is the quality and smallness of horso feeds. This is a very serious mattor for travellers making long journeys in tho winter time. Section 130 provides that every innkeeper shall at all times keep upon his liccused premises a sufficient supply of hay, corn, or othn.t provender for the use of travellers. I am of opinion that at fow, if any, of the outlying licensed houses a supply of hay is kept. Many horses when travelling will not eat oats or other grain, but would sweet hay. Therefore I think a supply should be kept at all the Coast licensed houses whore the paddocks are poor. If possible, instructions should be given as to amount of oats and chaff that ought to be supplied for a horse feed. I regret having to bring this matter before you, but in my opinion too much attention cannot be given to horses. If licensees will not pay proper attention to the requirements of tho travelling public it is my intention to take every possible means to see that they do.” Tho Chairman said tho Bonch regretted that a conviction for Sunday trading had boon recorded since last meeting. Licensees must understand that tho Bench intended to insist upon proper observance of the law, and they should not run tho risk of cancellation of licenses, which would follow if illicit sales were persisted in. He was glad that tho question of horso feed was mentioned, as ho had heard complaints himself. If other persons came forward with complaints, investigations could be made. Tho matter could stand over till tho annual meeting, when a condition could bo imposed on tho now licensos. There was no doubt that too little attention was paid to travellers’ horses,

Constable D. McLeod, Tolago Bay, reported :—“ Tolago Bay Hotel : Since last report tho licensee of this hotel has effected sundry littlo repairs, which have improved the outside appearance of the house. The promises and surroundings aro kept clean and tidy. The stable is also well kept, and tho feed of good quality. The conduct of the house has been very good, with one exception, for which tho licensee was fined £5, costs 9s, for allowing a prohibited person to remain upon his premises on August 9th, 1902. Pakarae Hotel : This . hotel is clean throughout, and has been well conducted since last report. Tho stable is well attended to and the horse feed of good quality.”