PROTECTION SOUGHT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3255, 21 April 1943, Page 5

PROTECTION SOUGHT

LICENCE FOR RESTAURANT OWNER CALLED FOR THE ARMY A request for protection of his restaurant licence if he was forced to close while he was serving in the Armed Forces was made for Mr R. A. Leacock by Mr J. H. Bartlett in a letter to Thursday night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council. Mr J. H. Bartlett, public accountant wrote as under on the matter: /‘The above named (R. A. Leacock) is required to commence military service after May 31. Efforts to obtain satisfactory assistance in the shop and restaurant have not been successful and it is considered that it would be impracticable for Mrs Leacock with the assistance of staff locally available to run both branches of the business.

“Accordingly, it may be decided to close the restaurant during Mr Leacock’s absence and continue the business for the sale of cooked and raw fish etc., over the counter only. “In these circumstances, it is submitted that Leacock’s licence as a restauranteur should be protected during his absence and I would be glad to have the advice of your council in this matter.”

The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, explained that the granting of. licences was not governed by number but by the suitability of the building. If a ■building was erected suitable for a restaurant a licence could not be refused.

Members all agreed that the council should give all the protection in its power in the circumstances but it was agreed that they had not the authority to refuse a licence if proper premises were available.