THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 817, 10 March 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1871.

It is satisfactory to observe that the Magistrates are becoming more particular with regard to the granting of publichouse licenses. It is perhaps the most redeeming feature of the Westland Public House Act that, confused and contradictory as it may be in some of its details, it places the discretion as to the granting of licences in the hands of the local magistrates. If this process does nothing else, it is valuable in subjecting applicants to a closer scrutiny as to their fitness as holders of licenses than obtained when the issuing of licenses was regulated by no higher standard than a desire to increase the revenue. The system of compelling dealers in spirituous liquors and hotelkeepers to pay a license to the Government is based upon a twofold principle. First it i 3 a convenient and unobjectionable means of revenue, and second it gives a certain amount of control over the conduct of persons upon whom perhaps, more than any other class of the community, the public are dependent for acco mmod atlon . The special tax upon" the innkeepers has also the effect of creating to a certain extent a monopoly, and it is clearly the duty of the authorities to see that this monopoly is not exercised prejudicially to the public interest. There was a time when any person, whatever his character, or however disreputable, in structure or association his house might be, could obtain a license. The only consideration then given was to the question of augmenting the revenue as much as possible, and the consequence was that the Government was continually discovered to be the indirect encourageor of the worst nurseries of everything that was bad and outrageous to public morals and decency. This state of things is altered, and both the public and their local magistrates have a voice in the licensing of hotels. As a mere matter of police, it is necessary for the protection of the public that the holders of hotel licenses should be persons of at least ordinary good character, and that their houses should be creditably kept. A landlord of a public-house has great responsibilities to the public ; if so disposed he may convert his house into a nest of the worst and most dangerous characters, and it is the duty of the authorities to take every care that licenses shall not be issued to doubtful persons. It is the least and most reasonable condition that can be imposed upon a landlord that he shall keep his house in a reputable manner. As far as the public are concerned, they would put up with inferior accommodation, provided their sense of decency and propriety were not outraged. But when we find that owners of public-houses go out of the way of their

proper business, and add to their other stock-in-trade meretricious aids of the worst possible kind, it is hiuh time for the authorities to interfere. They should interfere for several reasons, not the least of which are — regard for the public morals, and protection to decent, respectable hotel-keepers. We are glad to find that these considerations are having some weight with the magistrates. Yesterday, a license was very properly refused to an applicant, who, although cautioned at the last time of obtaining his license, has persisted in harboring prostitutes. We hope the magistrates will continue their strictness, and in future withhold licenses from improper persons. There are far too many public-houses in this town, which are nothing removed from brothels and resorts of criminals of both sexes ; and we have no doubt that if the police find they are supported by the Bench, many of these places will be suppressed.