DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1927, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. HOTEL HOURS ENTITLED TO SELL LIQUOR ON DECEMBER 20. DCXEDIX, Nov. 28. Under the Public Holidays Amendment Act. 11)21, which was passed on December 21. 1921, hotels are permitted to open on Monday, December 2G, and licenses to sell liquor at the race meetings which take place on that day will also 'he granted. J here has been some doubt on the point, seeing that Christmas Day this year tails on a Sunday and that tlie holiday is being observed on the Monday. 'the doubt lias arisen consequent on the decision in an appeal ease Dow v. Ryan, where it was held that where Christinas Day falls on a .Sunday and is by virtue- of the Public Holidays Act. 1910.. observed on the next slid ceiling .Monday, it is an oi-

tcncc under the provision of Sections IS!) and 191) of the Licensing Act, 1.998, tor a licensee to sell intoxicating liquor in his licensed premises on the said Mondav.

As the result of an inquiry made by a "Daily Times” renorter. any . misapprehension mi the matter has been cleared away, for the simple reason that the Act of 1921 supersedes any ol the provisions of previous Ai ts regarding the opening of hotels on the day in question.

MUSIC IN PUBLIC'. A QUESTION OK COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON. Nov. 28. The .Australasian Performing Rights Association and Leo Kiest (Incorporated) sued Collinstui and Cttniiinghani. Ltd., drapers. Palmerston North, in the Supreme Court to-day, seeking an injunction restraining defendants lrom playing in public a, musical work entitled ".lust a Bird’s-Eye View.”

Mr K. West, who appeared for the plaintiffs, stated that the ease was the first of its kind in New Zealand. It was taken by the Australian Performing .Rights Association, which was an association consisting of authors, composers and other owners ol copyright. The association was affiliated with other similar societies in Franco, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United States, and its objects were to endeavour to protect the rights acquired by composers. Plaiutilf's claim was that defendants had played in public “.lust a Bird’s Eye View,” of which tlie plaintiffs, he claimed, were the owners of the copyright. The whole principle, ho declared, was to place on the user of music in public the onus of finding out who was the owner. Defendants’ attitude was that they were not going to pay till the composer came along. There was no pre-

sumption because a composers name appeared on* the music that lie was the owner of the copyright. Mr J. E. B. Stevenson, for the defendants. suggested that the plaintiffs had no title to the copyright. Mr West said that the cost of a single performing right was 10s (id, hut the asset iated licensed halls', and all halls of i'.iiv size throughout New /calami had now joined in accepting a license from the association.

Air Stevenson' said some drapers would rather pay two or three pounds than have litigation, hut Llie Drapers Federation desired to la' satisfied? 4 Mr West said sullieient prool would ),:• supplied on the taking-ol evidence in New York. . Mr Stevenson: If an injunction is made it will ho hawked about the country and a lot of people frightened. If he luid a clear title. 1 would not he here to-day.

After further discussion, it "'as agreed that “I ust a Bird's-Eye \ iew would not ho played by defendants for six mouths, or till the disposal ol the ease, and that Air Stevenson should ho given an opportunity ol inquiring into the copyright claim of any six pieces of pininlills’. LOCAL LOANS. DECISIONS OF THE BOARD. WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. l-’orty-scveu applications lor loans totalling 0i1.590 were dealt with at a meeting ol the Local Government Loans Board. Eight renewal loans for £128.000 were sanctioned, with sinking funds ranging from 2 per cent upwards with a view to liquidating those loans within a reasonable period. Twenty-six new loans were sanctioned for tlie full amount, £120.899. In ten applications for £100.400. part sanction was given for £83.f»83, the balance of £22,817 being deferred or declined. Three applications were declined.

MONTHLY VEHICLE LICENSES HAMILTON. Nov. 2(5.

The Rotorua Borough Council has been issuing monthly licenses to heavy vehicles, hut it lias no right to do so, and Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., to-day declared it “ a had practice.” I). 11. Holden, of Hoturna, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with driving a vehicle of over two tons laden weight without a heavy traffic license. Defendant explained that a number of Rotorua people commenced motor services between other towns and Rotorua some time ago, and in order to

assist these people who had little capital, the Council agreed to issue monthly heavy traffic, licenses. The fees for those licenses were collected by the traffic inspector about the four.tli day of the month and sometimes it was later.

A letter was received from the Rotorua Council supporting defendant's statement and accepting blame lor not issuing the license as lrom the first dav of the month.

The* magistrate said the council had power to give car or lorry owners up to nine months’ credit, hut the licenses it issued were not worth the paper they were written on. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs. DETECT! V I*N MAKE RAID. ATTKI.AXD. Xov. 28. Detectives made a raid on unde'drahles at the Tak'apnna racecourse on Saturday. As a result six men appeared in the Police. Court to-dav. Four of them were charged with nm.,.- idle and disorderly persons who hahiiually consorted with reputed thieves. Two others were charged with frequenting the vicinity of the course with felonious intent. Victor Henry Thomas, caught in the act. of putting his hand in another man’s pocket, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. Trevor Leonard Richards Cunningham. described its a ‘‘tip-top tradesman." on it charge of frequenting \ iftoria Road with felonious intent, was convicted and ordered to come tip for sentence within two years. The other cases were adjourned. fell over cliff. DUXF.DIX. Xov. 28. At an inquest held this morning before Mr H. AY. Bundle. Coroner, into tho circumstances surrounding the death of William. Janies Patrick, who lost his life yesterday bv falling 10D feet over a cliff at Tomahawk, a. verdict was returned that deceased died from shock and injuries caused by falling over a cliff.