Otaki Licensing Committee.

Manawatu Herald, 8 September 1894, Page 3

Otaki Licensing Committee.

The quarterly meeting of the above committee was held at the Court House, Otaki, at noon yesterday. Present — Messrs Thynne, Stuckey, Williams, Harnett, McCulloch, Bennett and Smith. Mr Harnett was elected chairman. After the minutes had been read, the first business taken was the application of Mr Campbell to transfer the license of his premises in Manakau to a site on block 4 of the Manawatu Railway Cos. land at Levin. Mr Skerrett appeared for the applicant and Mr Gully appeared in support of certain petitioners against the granting of the transfer. Two petitions bad been lodged with the clerk for and against the application but very little importance appeared to be attached to either, by counsel or committee. Mr . Skerrett mentioned the case and stated he would, if the application was agreed to, undertake to hold matters in abeyance for 3 months until the new premises, to consist of 24, rooms were erected. Mr Campbell was called who thought Levin possessed a larger population than Manakau and that another house was needed at Levin. Mr Gully traversed the questions raised by Mr Skerrett. He proved in crossexamination of Mr Campbell that the applicant had not possession of any land at Levin when he lodged his application for a transfer. He called two witnesses, Messrs Gardener find JjJkeet. in support of the opposition. Both counsel addressed the Committee at length and the Committee cleared the «f Court to deoide on the issue. Mr Tbynne proposed and Mr Stuokey seconded, That no transfer of the license be permitted. A division was called for and Messrs Tbynne, Stuokey, Williams and McCulloch voted for it, and Messrs Harnett, Bennett and Smith against it. The resolution was carried, and on the Court being again opened, the decision was thus simply announced and accepted without a word. The complaint lodged by Constable Oillespie against the Post Office Hotel, Foxton, was adjourned to enable Mr Walters to obtain a proper transfer.