DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

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POLICE OBJECTIONS. Cl ?LVE RDEX HOTE L J JO lONS EE CHRISTCHURCH, May 7. Considered to be unique in regard to licensing matters in New Zealand was a position investigated at a 'Peci.il meeting of the Huruiuii Licensing Committee at Amberley yesterday. The committee consisted of Messrs 11. A. Young, S.M., (chairman), J. M. South, G. R.. Holton, M. Bethell, and A. J. Su nek noil.

The meeting had boon called by tlio chairman to consider an adverse report made by the West Coast Police as to tho fitness and propriety of L. Chapman for holding the position of licensee of the Culverden Hotel. One behalf of the Police, Superintendent- Kales appeared, while Air IV. ,T. Hunter represented Chapman, and MT R. A. Outhbert watched the proceedings for Captain Mitchell, the former licensee, and Maiming and Co.

Evidence heard yesterday was taken in camera. The facts of the case- aic that the present licensee (Chapman) purchased the freehold ot the hotel from Captain Mitchell. Chapman was the proprietor of a licensed hotel on ||,o West- Coast, and had obtained a certificate of fitness from the Magistrate of that district, Mr W. Meldriim. A peculiar feature of the case is that Chapman, although occupying tho hotel at the present, time, lias no license, the transfer of tho license from Captain Mitchell to him _ not having been granted by tho committee. Objections to Chapman bolding a license, wore offered by Sergeant Smvtli. for Hie West, Coast Police. After hearing the evidence, the eomi,title bi-id that Chapman was not a fit person to hold a, license for that particular hotel; lull it did not wish to involve him in any financial loss Therefore the matter was adjourned to enable counsel to confer with the Magistrate.

MAN DIES from EXPOSURE. PALMERSTON NT.. May G. Mark Fisher, aged about GO, a resident of Palmerston North, was found dead this afternoon in a paddock close

to a- camp of men engaged oil tho Foilding Borough water supply improvement scheme, on the banks of the Orotia River. Kiwitca. Death was presumably duo to exposure, as the deceased and another spent Tuesday night, which was very wild and wet. in the open. They had failed to reach tlio camp before nightfall. The following day lie was apparently well, blithe was subsequently missed. A search was instituted, and bis body found some distance from his swag.

ROAD MAINTENANCE, H AMILTON, May 6. The Borough Council last night carried a resolution “viewing with the gravest concern tlio increasing burden which is being placed on the ratepayers in respect of the foundation and maintenance of streets, and this council is unanimously of tho opinion that such increased charges are duo solely to the damage caused by motor traffic; that the whole of these charges is a totally inequitable burden on tlio ratepayers; that- the Government be strongly urged to introduce necessary legislation during the coming session and transfer an equitable portion of this burden from tbo ratepayers to the users of the roads and streets.” The council is to submit for consideration of the Government the following suggestion: “That tlie present annual license fee per vehicle per annum be substantially increased, such increase to- lie piaid to tlie local authority in whoso territory the vehicle i-s garaged, a tax to he levied on all petrol passed through pumps that are installed, and that the net proceeds from the foregoing he used exclusively on the formation of and maintenance of streets or roads within the territory of such local authority.” NOVEL GROCERY METHODS. DUNEDIN, A lay G. The Inspector of Awards proceeded in the Aragistratc’s Court against R. Staveley on four charges of breach of the Grocers’ Award, the salaries paid to his assistants, all girls, being £2, £1 ss, £1 and 15s, whereas the minimum wage for a grocer’s assistant was £4 10s.

Evidence showed that defendant was running his business on novel lines in vogue in the United States, goods being arranged in small packages anil selected by customers themselves, who brought them to the counter, where the assistant- called out the price, after which payment 'was made at a cash register. Defendant regarded his assistants as clerks. They had no Knowledge of the grocery trade, and merely called the prices marked on the packages. The Magistrate held that- it was a grocery business, though run in a novel way. Taking this into consideration with the fact that defendant was new to New Zealand he imposed a nominal penalty of 10s on each charge.