CANTERBURY LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2559, 21 June 1882, Page 3

CANTERBURY LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

On Tuesday afternoon a special general meeting was held in tho Central Hotel, to consider the action the Licensing Committees had taken in regard to extensions of the hours of closing. Tho chair was occupied by Mr R, Eichardson (president), Twenty-one members were present. The President pointed out that tho Committee at first gave out that extension would be based on accommodation. On Monday, however, the Christchurch West Committee had granted on extension to a house which, as compared with several others for which extension had been refused, obviously did not profess to make a specialty of providing accommodation.

Mr McDonald, of Lyttelton, one of the delegates sent to Wellington, stated that Mr Allwright had favorably entertained a proposal in favor of eleven o’clock licenses. The Hon. T. Dick had agreed that closing at ton would be inconvenient for passengers reaching Port after that hour. Messrs Thomson, O’Oallaghan and Holmes had concurred. Mr HU), aho a delegate, spoke to the same effect.

Mr Keane having referred to some telegrams from Wellington, Mr Hiorns spoke of a letter he sent to Mr R. J. 8. Harman, chairman. On Bth June a a loading article had appeared in the Pbkss stating that one of tho main principles underlying the Act was that the opportuni ties provided to the public for purchasing liquor should be curtailed, adding that for no other reason could tho normal hours for closing public-houses have been altered from eleven to ten o’clock. Some time ago, Mr Dick had given tho speaker to understand that the hotel-keepers of Auckland, Wellington, Otago and Wanganui preferred ten o’clock licenses to paying extra foes for closing at midnight. Mr Hiorns, though one of the fortunate ones, submitted that the Aot had been misunderstood, really intending to give all hotelkeepers willing to pay for it a midnight extension.

The President said he had declined to head a deputation to the Licensing Committee, believing it to bo not in good taste for anyone to take it on himself to seek to diets,te to a body elected by 8000 ratepayers. Mr Beatty thought the President might have consented to accompany tho deputation, whether his and their views were quite in accord or no.

Mr Knowsley regarded thia as a digression from the business of a special meeting. Mr McDonald said that he and his colleagues were satisfied the Act would be presently repealed. No doubt the matter had been delayed by Major Atkinson’s illness deferring the tabling of the financial statement. An uniform hour of eleven o’clock would be established except where midnight licenses were necessary. The Bill to deal with this would also embrace other changes thought desirable by the Association. Mr Eiddey complained that several properly signed requisitions had by the Committees been treated as so much waste paper. Ro proposed the requisitions “bo compiled and sent to Parliamentary members, to show that the voice of the people was in favor of a later closing than ten o’clock.” Seconded by Mr Ohas. Deal, and carried. During the discussion on this motion, Mr Kiddey remarked on the faot of the Queen’s Hotel not having, strange to say, been granted on extension. So with several other houses. In fact, the Committee admitted tfcoy were perplexed. Mr Hiorns referred to the influential petition which had been presented by Mr Kiddey. Mr Hiorns suggested that, in the event of the proposed alterations on Wednesday night in the House not being deemed satisfactory, it might be well, in view of the House adjourning to morrow week to attend the Christchurch Exhibition, for the Association to take that opportunity of appointing a deputation to wait on Parliamentary members.

Resolved, on Mr Amyes' proposal, seconded by Mr Koowoloy— 11 That a telegram bo sent to the Christchurch members of the House, rrqucsiing thorn to urge sympathisers there to support Mr Weston’s amendments.” It was understosd that, in the event or the amendments not being carried, a deputation from the Association will request the Christchurch members, during their Exhibition visit, to introduce the deputation to the representatives of the House generally. Resolved, on Mr Htorns’ motion, seconded by Mr Deal—“ To thank Messrs Hill and McDonald for their attendance at the meeting, and to thank those gentlemen and Mr Exalt for their efforts at Wellington.” On Mr Knowsley’s proposal, a vote of appreciation was passed to Messrs McKendrick, Hiorns, Oollier,and Fuchs, who, having been successful in obtaining extension of closing hours, had yet attended tbo meeting. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and officers of the Association, and the proceedings ended.