LICENSING COMMITIEE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2557, 19 June 1882, Page 3

LICENSING COMMITIEE.

OHRISTCHTJRCH EAST. A meeting of this committee was held at 7>oon to-day at the Orange Hall. Present— Meesrß R. J. S. Harman (ohairman), Westenra, Cunningham. Mr Pritchard was ab--8 ant from illness. BXTBA BAES. An extra bar was granted as follows— Edward Hiorns, Central (two bars.) ADJOUBNBD IIOBHBB. Mr Lougbrey applied herein for a certificate of license to issue to Vincenzo Berti, Palace Hotel. He said that the entrances between the theatre and the hotel had been closed up, but they had not yet had time to brick them up. The entrances had been looked up during the whole time, and the keys could be handed to the Inspector of Polioe. The Chairman said that the oertifioate would be granted, the clerk to the oommittoe to see that the apertures were closed before iesuing it. Mr Loughrey for Mr Berti and Mr Oowlishaw for Mr Beatty undertook to have tho apertures bricked up, MIDNIGHT BXTBNSIONB. The following applications were made for extensions to midnight : —Patrick Gillan, Garrick Hotel (Mr Thomas); Henry Had droll, Market Hotel (Mr Thomas) ; W. H. Kiddey, Star and Garter Hotel (Mr Loughrey); Mr Hiorns, Central Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Daniels, Albion Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Warner, Commercial Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr HaTdeoke, Golden Fleece Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Searle, Foresters' Hotsl (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Dann, Oxford Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Berti, Palaoe Hotel (Mr Loughrey) ; Mr Wallace, Criterion Hotel (Mr Stringer); Mr Burke, Viotorian Hotel (Mr Btringer). The Chairman said that the Act comtemplated that all houses should close at 10 p.m., excopt in some cases where for the public convenience the oommitteo wero entitled to grant au extension to twelve o'clook. The Aot had, however, cast on the committee the duty of making an invidious distinction. He wished to point out that there were in this distriot no less than six houses. Taking the Act as I stating that the houses should close at 10 p.m., how were the committee to decide ? Mr Thomas said the holders of lioenses were quite willing, if it oould be done, that an eleven o'clock license should be granted, beoausc the difference between 10 p.m. and 12 p.m. was so great as to mean one-fourth I oi tho day's takings. He would point out that in up-country townships or other places, except large cities, no doubt it was the intention of tho Legislature to closo the houses at 10 o.m. Mr Oowlishaw, on behalf of Mr Beatty, addreused tho committee. Mr Thomas urged that in cities all houses should be allowed to ba kopt open tilt twelvo o'olock, as it would be doing an injustice to grant it to some and not to others. Mr Loughrey addressed the committee. Tho Committee considered the matter, and after a short retirement, The Chairman said he was requested to lay that the Committee felt groat difficulty in dealing with this subject. They also desired to say that they took it that they represmted two classes of the publio, viz., those who desired to have an extension of hours, and those who were opposed to any extension or increase of houses. The Committee hoped tli at ere long they would be relieved by the Legislature from the difficult task of making invidious distinctions. However, they had determined to try an experiment for three months, when the matter would be reconsidered and to grant one extension of eaoh class. 'The extension would therefore be I granted to the Commercial and Central ' Hotcli, All the others would be refused.