LICENSING MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 285, 2 December 1874, Page 2

LICENSING MEETING.

[Commissioners : L. Broad, Esq., R.M , D. Rough and W. Wells, Esqa., J.J.P.] The quarterly meeting for the transfer of licenses was held yesterday. A transfer of the license for the Albion Hotel from W. G. Jacobs to E. A. M'Kenzie was granted. Temporary transfers until the applications wero properly made were granted aa follows : — Golden Fleece, J. Disher to H. Bailey; Thistle Inn, C. Knight to W. Tibbett. The Court made the following comments upon the Police Report:-— "The Police Report npon the license-, bouses ia the Cl yof Nelson for the poet twelve months is upon tha whole satisfactory. There are, however, one or two honses which (as indicated in the report) are not conducted with that degree of respect for public order and decency, which th : s Court will most rigorously demand from every holder of a retail license. To the holders of these houses this Court addresses for the last time words of w»rning; at the next quarterly Licensing Court should there still exist any cause for complaint, the licenses will most surely be refused. There is another matter to which we may briefly allude, and that is the idea that seems to prevail that, the provisions of the Licensing Act notwithstanding, unlicensed persons in occupation of so cai ed hotels may do us they plea_e abont transfers. Nowthe Act is most clear, and make* ample provision for obtaining a transfer, and yet there are persons in this town carrying on the trade of publican who have no right whatever to do ao. The attention of these persons is expressly called to the risk they are running This Court would strongly recommend every licensed victual er to provide him elf with copies of the Licensing Acts, and to thorou.hly acquaint himself with the contents, because the Commissioners here are determined to carry out the law wth great strictness. It is a matter for congratulation that most of the hotels in Nelson are kept by respectable people, who seem desirous to pro-re in how decent and orderly a manner hous-.s can be conducted. It is to the advantage of the respectable innkeeper that the penal clauses of the Lica nsing Acts should bo sharply applied where necessary, and it will not thereforo te a matter of rtgret to them to know that it is tiie desire of this Court that the police will use their best efforts to give effect to the Act. Th. Commissioners hope that during the next session of the Provincial C 'uncil power will be given to this Court to grant permission to lie usees to be temporarily absent from their hou-es, and to can el licenses in cases where landlords leave with, out such permianon."