LICENSING MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3768, 8 June 1907, Page 2

LICENSING MATTERS.

At the annual meeting of the Manawatu licensing Bench held at Marton on Thursday last, police evidence was given in respect to the .local Post Office Hotel. The police said certain improvements recommended at the last quarterly meeting had not been complied with. The back part of the old portion of the premises was in a state of decay, and the outbuildings and fences required immediate attention. The present urinal should be replaced by one of concrete and iron. Two bedrooms in the old portion did not possess windows or direct communication with the balcony. The police said the building required painting. The Chairman, after hearingevidence and reading the Public Health Officer’s report, indulged in scathing criticism. He said the license would be held over till the next quarterly meeting, in order to allow the licensee to comply with the police and Health Department’s recommendations, and that the two bedrooms in question be abolished, and added that the Bench suggested that the structure be rebuilt. Mr Lyon-appeared for the licensee. The licenses of other local hotel were held over till next quarterly meeting, in order to allow the licensees to comply with certain minor recommendations by the police and Health Department. The police report on the conduct of all the local hotels was favourable The Bench passed a resolution that all balconies of licensed premises in the district must be 2ft 6in on the bottom floor, and sides protected by wire netting. Sergt. Bowden appeared on behalf of the police. Christchurch, June 6.

At Eyttelton yesteaday the police opposed the renewal of the license of R. J. Henry for the Mitre Hotel, the charge against him being that, while in a protracted period of drunkenness, he greatly insulted his barmaid. The barmaid alleged that he used the filthiest possible language to her in the bar and followed her up to her bedroom, and finally put her out on the street, she being sheltered for the night in another hotel. The defence was a general denial, but the licensee had no recollection of what took place on the night the barmaid was put out. The elected members of the Ifincensing Committee decided to renew the license. The chairman, Mr Bishop, S.M., made the following remarks : “ With regard to the application of R. J. Henry for a renewal of the license of the Mitre Hotel, the elected members of the committee have decided to renew the license without any remarks. I do not identify myself with the decision in any way.” At the licensing Committee meeting this morning the committee asked Sub-Inspector Ewyer for an expression of opinion from the police point of view of the effect of the refusal of conditional licenses to the Exhibition, and also of the changing of the closing hour from n p.m. to 10 p.m. The officer said that from his observation the refusal to grant licenses for the Exhibition was a very good thing. The ten o’clock closing also had done no harm as far as he could see. It had minimised drunkenness in the streets, and sent people earlier to their homes, and had altogether been a good thing for the city.