THE LICENSING LAWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1917, Page 1

THE LICENSING LAWS.

UPPER HOUSE AMENDMENTS.

In the first place it is recommended that the early closing hours should come into operation on December Ist,instead of November Ist.

The hours as passed by the House of Representatives. 9 a.m. till G p.m., stand.

In place of clause 3 of the Bill it is proposed to insert a new clause providing that any Ifessee of licensed premises may, before March 1 st, 1 918, give notice to the lessor requiring him to reduce the rent payable by the lessee in respect of premises pursuant to any lease to such an amount as may be specified in this notice, or at the option of the lessor to accept the surrender by the lessee of the lease on certain prescribed conditions. A new clause provides that every lessee being a licensee who desires to take advantage of: the reduction of rents shall within 21 days of the Ist c-f December next lodge with the Clerk of the Licensing Committee for the district the inventory of the stock held on the morning of December Ist. Further provision is made whereby a licensee may with consent of owner and mortgagee and Licensing Committee, upon proving to thc satisfaction of the Committee that the business of the licensee cannot lie profitably carried on, close his licensed premises and keep them closed during the continuance of the Act without prejudice to his right for renewal of license, provided liis license fee is paid yearly. During hours when licensed premises are closed no liquor shall be sold at or removed from premises holding wholesale licenses. Dealing with the chartered clubs, recommendations are made that where it is reported that liquor is being supplied during the hours when licensed premises are closed to persons other than lodgers, an inquiry shall be held by a magistrate, and, if the case is proved, the charter of the club shall be revoked. Persons legally entitled to-,be on licensed premises outside the hours for the sale of liquor are the licensee and family, persons employed on the premises, lodgers, guests of lodgers, and persons having business with lodgers, or licensee, or persons taking meals and persons who bona fide propose to take or have taken a meal, and bona fide travellers.

No liquor shall he sold 1o or consumed by any such persons except licensee and members of his family and lodgers during hours when bar is closed, whether at meals or otherwise. No person other than licensee or servant of licensee shall he deemed to be lawfully upon licensed premises if such person be found in any bar. Any person found on licensed premises during hours of closing not being lawfully entitled to be there shall be liable to a penalty uot, exceeding £lO. ' The foregoing have been agreed to, and now go before the Lower House.