Obligations of Hotel Licensees

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 61, 15 March 1944, Page 5

Obligations of Hotel Licensees

MUST PROVIDE LODGING AND MEALS FOR TRAVELLERS In conducting the prosecution against the licensee oi an hotel in Feilding lor failing to provide travellers with a meal, Sergeant E. 11. Turner confessed that this was the first occasion during his long career with the Police Force that he had experienced such a prosecution. The defendant was A. G. Frost, licensee of the Feilding Hotel, who pleaded guilty. The information arose out of a complaint by a traveller that he had been reiused a meal at the hotel and it was brought, stated the sergeant, with the object of drawing attention to the provision of the Licensing Act which provided that licensees could not refuse, except for some valid reason, to supply lodging, meals or accommodation to travellers. The defendant, he said, conducted a very good hotel, but it was evident that he had experienced some little difficulty over the provision ol meals. The defendant, who was not represented by counsel, stated that he was not present at the time of the incident. His mother, who acted as housekeeper, had taken ill and had been removed for medical attention and, unbeknown to him, someone had called for a meal and had been refused by a member of the staff. “The offence does not seem to have been wilful or actively connived at by the licensee,” remarked the Magistrate, Mr. A. Coleman, S.M. “Ho was apparently a little negligent in allowing someone else to say whether a meal would be provided or not. The Act provides for a penalty of £lO for failing to provide tho travelling public with board or meals, i a traveller comes outside the ordinary meal hours he cannot expect to obtain a set meal—a three-course hot meal—but he is entitled to a substantial meal—cold collation, bread and butter, cheese and jam, even In these days of rationing. That is the obligation of the licensee and the traveller is entitled to meals and lodging at any reasonable hour of the day or night. A good many hotels seem to imagine—I am not addressing these remarks to you, Mr. Frost —that their sole duty is to provide and retail liquor. But that is not so. If they are not prepared to provide meals then the need for their existence falls to the ground. It is just as well for all licensees to understand the position. They have their staffing difficulties just as many otners do in these days and if they cannot organise better then they are better out of it. This is not a case for a heavy penalty but merely a nominal one. Defendant would be fined £1 and 10s costs. In aid of school baths the Russell Street School is holding a gala day at the school on Saturday afternoon and evening next. There will be plenty of bright entertainment for those of all ages.