WESTLAND LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 3

WESTLAND LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL AIFETING. THURSDAY, JUNE 9lh. The Committee met at 110011. [’resent —-Messrs W. Alt-lilin 111 . S.AI. (Chairman), .J. B. Kent. J. Kyle, J. Goodall. F. Ak-Gregor and C. J. Nightingale. The following solicitors uere present on behalf of clients:—Messrs .1. A. .Murdoch, A. B. Elcoek, A. G. Pilkington, C. I*. Sellers. G. A. Revell (Greyinouth) and J. A. Hannan (Greymouth).

Police Inspector O’llallornn and Sergt. King represented tho police and Dr. T. E. Telford and Air AI. E. Betted the Health Department. The reports put in by the Health Department and Police were of an extensive nature. When the first application was called, Hr Telford addressed the Bench in regard to the powers of the Health Department in regard to licensed houses.

Mr Hannan said the report of the Medical Officer of Health could not he considered otherwise than as ridiculous in some of its recommendations. For instance last year the Post Office Hotel at Groymoutli was passed without comment. Since then £2OOO had been spent on the hotel and now in this year’s report it is stated the hotel should be pulled down and rebuilt. The requests of the Health Department in Greymoutli alone would involve over £60,000. Dr Telford said if the Committee took no notice of their recommendations, then it meant the utter futility of the annual inspection. Air Murdoch also addressed the Committee. pointing out the excellent nature of the police reports, and urged that every application should be taken on its merits and that if Lhc Department wanted to take action they had certain powers.

Afr Sellers complained that no action was taken until just before the annual meeting.

Inspector O’Halloran said the Health Department, reported only oil the sanitary conditions of the hotels. He had found the AVest Coast hotels were very well conducted, hut some were very old and getting worse year hv year. The police were very obliged by the assistance of the Health Department.

Dr Telford, replying, quoted sections of the Act in reference to washing of glasses in bars and the necessity of a hot water supply, and stressed the necessity of providing a hot water supply. Afr Alunloch said lie would not question the .Medical Officer s report, blithe did question the power ot the t <>mmittee to deal with the recommendations where they were in excess of the requirements ol the Act. The Chairman said the powers of the .Medical Officer of Health were exceedingly extensive, hut there was only one clause that afiected the Licensing Committee and that was a clause that instructed the Committee to take into consideration the recommendations of the Department, hut the Committee could deal only with what came before them under the provisions of the Act. in granting renewals of licenses at their annual meeting they had to take into consideration that they were only granting a renewal ol a license foi twelve months. All they had to consider if the the applications complied with the reasonable requirements of the general public and the legal requirenients of the Act. It would not be reasonable to expect consideration to be given for what may he necessary in ten years, when they could give a license only for one year.

Dr Telford stated in view of the decision of the Committee he would take individual action where necessary.

Inspector O’Halloran asked that when repairs tyere ordered that- fin fid'

journment he made till the .repairs were effected. The Committee then proceeded to deal with the applications, hut had not proceeded far when an adjournment was made for lunch at 1.15 p. 111., until 2 p.m. (To be Continued.!