LICENSING COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2240, 7 June 1881, Page 3

LICENSING COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, June 7.

Before J. Nugent Wood, Esq. (chairman), G. L. Lee and H. J. Tanored, Esqs., Commissioners.]

This Court had been fixed to open at twelve noon, but the Commissioners did not take their seats until twenty minutes to one o’clock. Applications fob New Licensee.—V. Berti, by Mr Harper, applied for a hotel license for a house he proposed to bulid on the corner of Madras street and North town belt. Flans of the proposed building were handed in. Walter Andrew and J. P. Jameson, residents in the neighbourhood, opposed the application on the ground that there was no necessity for the house, and its establishment would be contrary to the wishes of the neighbours, Mr Andrew supported bis. opposition by a petition signed by over a hundred residents. Application refused. V. Berti also applied for a license for a hotel to be built in Bingsland at the corner of North town belt and London street. The application was refused.—lT. Day, by Mr Stringer, applied for a license for a hotel to be built at Sumner. Mr Stringer produced a memorial, signed by several influential residents and owners, which recommended the granting ef the license. He called Mr Ollivier, a property owner, who stated that there being only one licensed bouse at Sumner, it was generally believed that the licensee, who had a monopoly, took advantage of his position and made very heavychargcs. The accommodation, moreover, was quite insufficient, and a family hotel would supply a want much felt at present and bring down the tariff, Mr Patten gave similar testimony. As usual plans were exhibited. The Commissioners said the rooms as shown on the plan were too small, otherwise tbo application would have received favorable consideration, although, of course, as the house was not erected, the license could not have been

granted at once. They were of opinion that another good hotel at Sumner was required, as the one already there was not quite up to the mark. Mr Stringer said the objection stated could be got over, and finally the Bench adjourned the hearing for a fortnight.—Henry Evans, by Mr Button, applied for a hotel license for a bouse to be built at Templeton. He read a petition in favor of it, and the minutes of a publie meeting held, at which similar opinions were expressed. He called Mr S. Bailey, a resident there, and chairman of the Boad Board, who said the house was required. Mr Thomas, who appeared to oppose the application, asked Mr Bailey how many houses there were in Templeton. Witness said, in a radius of 20 chains from the proposed hotel, there were twenty-two householders. The meeting was called by the applicant,and including him there were present about ten inhabitants of the township, and a few others. Witness owned half an acre of ground next to applicant, and there had been seme talk between them about the land being bought by applicant if the application was granted, but no actual arrangement had been come to, although in the plans the stables were shown as on his land, James Boyce, another resident, spoke as to the necessity for the hotel. In answer to Mr Thomas, he said he, too, had half an acre adjoining the site of the proposed hotel. That site was a quarter-acre, and might be big enough for applicant’s purposes. At any rate he was not under any arrangement for the purchase cf his land. Another resident spoke favorably of the application. Mr Thomas called Mr Trent, of Trent Bros. He said his firm farmed and manufactured on 500 acres in the neighborhood, and sometimes had 100 men and boys employed. Ho objected strongly to the opplication being granted ; it was not required. Mr Kissel had a wine and beer license ia the township, and there had never been any complaints against him. There were also three hotels within three or four miles of the township. Another 'resident objected to the site of the hotel even if it were favorably considered. The house would stand in the direct route and close to the school and church. The Bench thought the license was not necessary, and refused it. At the same time they were prepared to hear at some future time an application for an hotel if Kissel did not erect stabling and sleeping accommodation at the place for which he held a wine and beer license. An application by Mr Stringer on behalf of Wm. Walls for a hotel license for a house at the corner of Colombo road and King street, Sydenham, was refused.