LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2547, 7 June 1882, Page 3

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

SYDENHAM. The annual meeting was held to day at noon in the Borough Council Chambers, Sydenham. Present—Mr O. A. Pritchard (chairman), and Mesars T. H. Bone, end W. Langf.own. Sergeant Brooks attended in the interests of tho police. The applications for now licenses were taken first.

John Bashford, Ferry road and Burke street (Mr Thomas). Mr Joyce opposed on behalf of petitioners. Mr Thomas urged that, no petition having been lodged, opposing counsel had no Zooms standi. Subsequently the clerk found the petition duly lodged. Mr Thomas objected that the distance from the proposed premises to the houses of those petitioning was not in every case mentioned, and that all signing were not over twentyone years of age. If this course were adopted, there would be only six names left, instead of ten, as required by the Act. Mr Joyce said the petition was in form, there being quite sufficient to support it. No premises were erected ; there was simply a piece of land. The patition was rejected on the ground that it wai informal, there being only six names. Mr Thomas said the house was to be built of brick and stone. The application was signed by some of the beat men in the district, Mr Pavitt and others, most of them living in the immediate neighborhood and holding property. Mr A. M. Ollivier and the directors of the Lancaster Park 00. were in favor of the application being granted. On reference to the map the Commissioners would allow that a house was more needed in this locality than in any other part of the district, Mr Joyce, for Mr Jackson, residing in the district, and for the Eov. Mr Gilbert, called Mr Jaokson. Before he was sworn, Mr Thomas asked it Jaokson was either a ratepayer in the district or a resident in the district. It was decided to hear Jackson, who said he was a cab proprietor residing in Phillipstown. There was no necessity for a hotel. Ho resided about eight chains from the site of the proposed house, and was a Good Templar. John Monsen said ho lived near the proposed house, and he would oppose applications on the ground that a publichonso would materially assist loafers, who would prowl about while a man was at business, and had left his wife and children at home. The Rev. Mr Gilbert said he was not a ratepayer ; he lived in the immediate but not actual neighborhood. A house was not required, there being only twenty-five or thirty dwellings in the locality. The house was intended to be for the accommodation of Heathoote district. The rev. gentleman said he did not oppose the application on the ground of tetotahsm. He was not himself a teetotaller. He learned from Mr Collier, of the Royal Qaorge, that he had rarely a person who wished a bed in the house. Mr Joyce pointed out that under section B 6 a notice in writing had to be affixed. This had not been done, and the license could, therefore, not be granted. The foundations wore only put in yesterday. As far as Lancaster Park was concerned, provision was made for sale cf intox r oants. The chairman intimated that the committee had decided to adjourn the ccauderation of this and all similar applications for a few days.

Mr George Harper stated that he was present to oppose applications in oases whore buildings had not been already put up, Tho Chairman said particulars would be now heard, and that one case would be a tost

case. Mr Harper said that at the meeting at St. John’s school he understood it was stated that no applications would bo there gi a ited where promises had not been already put up. James Baldwin, Hazeldean road (Mr Loughrey). Counsel stated that Mr Baldwin was well known for many years as a ho'.elkeeper. Tho necessary notices had boon advertised. The premises wore said to be commodious, and further alterations we e contemplated. Mr George Harper said it apt onai the house was not in accordance with the Act, as it should have an entrance separate from the bar entrance, and should contain six rooms besides those required for the family and the billiard room. Mean* of escape from fire were also noces«ary. The provisions of the Act, with tie exoaption of that relating to the stable, were mandatory. There were only six rooms. Plans of the house hed also to bo lodged, and must show on the face of them Vthat the number of rooms and conveniences are provided, before the application can pe

entertained it all. No discretionary power wm allowed. Counsel strongly relied on section 77. Mr Loughrey contended that there were eighteen rooms, as stated. There were two promisee, to all intents andpurpotes one set of premises, but there was no connecting passage,—l hi* application was also adjourned. J. Comer, Elizabeth and Colombo streets (Mr Loughrey). A petition in favor was presented, signed by ratepayers. The was no opposition. The house seemed very desirable.—Adjourned. J. Crowley, Bridge Hotel, Madras street (Mr Perceval). Counsel urged that all applications should bo rejected where buildings were not already in existence. Ho now appeared in support of a most commodious house, which could be converted into a hotel at once. The alterations would bo immediately carried out. There was another application in the locality for a non-existent house, Crowley and bis wife, the latter especially, had had experience in hotelkeeping. Counsel submitted _ that the Committee were the best judges as to the desirability of a house. Mr Harper said there was a petition lodged against, in due form, on the general ground that the house was not required. Mr Harper asked for evidence to be called, there being no reason assigned, and the petition itself simply giving the petitioners a locus standi. Sergeant Brooks stated that there were nine rooms, the premises standing 16ft from the road, and not at present adapted for hotel requirements. There was one entrance at tne front and one at the back. —The chairman said the Bench intended personally to inspect the premises. Adjourned. F. Ditford, Wordsworth street and Waltham road (Mr Perceval). Testimonials as to character were submitted from the Mayor of Christchurch and others. Ditford stated that were seven rooms, shop, and scullery. Mr Harper submitted a petition adverse to the application on the ground of the pre mise# being disqualified. Edward George, Selwyn street and Hazsldean road (Mr McConnell). No house had been erected. Counsel feared this application must swim in the same boat as the others, and that the arguments against were very strong. [Laughter.] Mr Joyce opposed the application. George Booth, ratepayer, said the neighborhood had been pretty well canvassed, and nearly everyone agreed there was no necessity for the house. The proposed premises were only throe chains from a Church and Sunday-school. Mr McConnell submitted that the memorial did not speo'fy approximate distances from residences to the proposed hotel, nor did it give the ages. The memotid was held to be informal. 8. Kingsford, residing on an adjoining reotion, said there was no necessity for a hotel. He was but three minutes’ walk from a hotel as it was. The Eev. W. Taylor also denied any necessity for the house in question.—The consideration was adjourned. C. 8. Hamilton, Second street and Barbadoea street (Mr Thomas). Sergeant Brooks said the house was at present well conducted as a lodging house, but would require additions to render it fit for a hotel. Mr Harper, on behalf of objectors, urged that the words “ adult mule and female,” as appearing on the memorial, were sufficient. It was stated that, in the event of ladies signing, it would be too much to expect that they should give their exact ages. (Laughter). This case was also adjourned, S, Lawrence, Colombo and Battersea streets (Mr Qresson) —Counsel stated that testimonials had been given by many gentlemen, such as Messrs Wynn Williams and John Anderson, as to character. The premises would oho be suitable. Adjourned. W. Lockwood, Colombo and Battersea streets—Applicant stated personally that he was the oldest resident in the locality. It is proposed to have sixteen rooms, besides those for family use. Adjourned. D. Maher, Kingsley and Battersea streets — Adjourned. O. F. Money, Park road and South belt (Mr Loughrey)—Mr Joyce appeared to oppose, and called Edward Taylor, who said the memorial was signed by every near resi dent except three. The proposed site was within one and a quarter minutes’ walk from the hotel. If another hotel wore opened it must bs simply for ts drinking shop. He spoke in the interests of the working men. There were no wealthy people in the vicinity. The beds in the hotel already provided were never full. Adjourned. Fred. Peiper, Great Western, Selwyn street (Mr Loughrey). Mr Joyce for objectors. Adjourned, T. A. W. Parsons, Colombo road. Personal application. Applicant said the plans would be for a hotel somewhat after the fashion of “ Coker’s.” Adjourned. H. Scrimshaw, Sydenham Hotel, Harper and Battersea streets (Mr Thomas). Counsel stated that Mr Joyce’s name was one of the 300 names on the petition in support of the application, Mr Joyce said the name was not in connection with this matter, but had been given two Jyears ago. A number of names might be found of persons who would not now be willing to sign a memorial in support of the present application. The petition was signed by him (Mr Joyce) twelve months ago under the old Act. Mr Thomas said he had not been previously aware ofjthis.—Adjourned, H. Stephenson, Kingsley street, Gasworks road (Mr Loughrey). Mr Harper opposed, and submitted a petition. A number of petitioners’ names were called but not re sponded to. Stephenson stated that ho was but a poor man in circumstances, and wished to *' rise ” himself. [Laughter.]—Adjourned. H. Tonkington, Wordsworth and Madras streets (Mr Loughrey)—Adjourned. J. Webley, Tradesmen’s Home, Colombo street south (Mr Loughrey).—Adjourned. Wm. Walls, Colombo and King strests (Mr MoOonnel). Sergeant Brooks said ho thought the house had been a year empty. It never had a license. Counsel submitted that the inspector’s evidence us to furniture, cleanliness, &0., should be taken in the case of new premises, after the application was granted Adjourned. F. 0, Bowler, Waltham Arms, Waltham road (Mr Loughrey). This was an applica tion for renewal Granted

R Belgrave, Orowr. Hotel, Montreal street and South town belt (Mr Loughrey). Granted. Ohas. Goldetone, Railway refreshment rooms (Mr Joyce). Hours to be same as before, namely, for convenience of trains running. Granted. J. Johnson, Kingston, Colombo street. Personal application. Granted, the stringent powers conferred by the Act to bo borne in mind.

The Committee adjourned to Wednesday, 21st inst.