HOTEL CONTROL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10298, 5 June 1919, Page 6

HOTEL CONTROL

LICENSING QUESTIONS MEETING OF HUTT DISTRICT COMMITTEE. The annual meeting of the Hutt Licensing Committee was held in tho Lower Hutt Courthouse yesterday at noon. Those present wore: Messrs W. G. Riddell, S.M. (chairman), J. W. McEwan, J. Cotton, M. YV. Welch, W. wearne, and \V. Cotton.

The police reported that the hotels in tne district nad oeen conducted in i satistactory manner, with tne exception ot uie Tana ilotel. Respecting tms house, the report stated Vuat Uio police had reason to beneve that Sunday and utter-hours' trading was carried on. It was alleged that scouts iv ere placed in position in order to K ivo warning of portions' approach. The chairman stud tne police report was good on the whole, buu tho portion dealing with the conduct of tho Taita ttotel was unsatisfactory." The house was probably a diuicult one to manage, but tor some time past the police repor.s had been of a similar nature. The license had been in the hands of women, which might or might not have had something to do with the conduct of the premises. The house had changed hands several times, but the result had been the samo. In regard to the other hotels, the Public Health Departntent had notified the committee that minor repairs needed carrying out in some oi the premises, and the commit-too. had no knowledge that effect had been given to the recommendations. Mr T. Young said Mhat no charge had been laid against tho licensee of the Taita Hotel, and it was difficult to meet the allegations, under tho circumstances. Tho house was one where afternoon teas were served and w-hero persons waited about the promises in order to procure a meal. The chairman said the houso had been before .'he committee for two or Vs.vce years, and a satisfactory report had not been received. Mr Young replied that if the licensee had committed an offence against the licensing laws she should have been prosecuted. The Ranch should take no notice'of vague reports which it was impossible" to meet. Sergeant Bird, in objecting to the transfer of the license, said it was common knowledge that after-hours trading went on. . Mr Young said it was unfair for the police to make such a vague statement. Counsel's instructions were to the effect that after-hours trading did not take place. Persons were seen probably waiting for meals, and this was suspicious in a policeman's eyes The application for the transfer was granted, and a new application was held over. . . The application in regard to the Central Hotel, Petone, was adjourned for a month to allow certain repairs to be effected. ~,,.. In the caso of the Grand National, an application made by Miss Richardson, as executrix for the late licensee, was'adjourned for three, months...,in. order "to see what arrangements could be made, as the applicant, being a spinster, is not eligible to bold a _'»• cense. Tho police reported that Miss Richardson had, since her brother's death, conducted tho hotel in an able manner.

APPLICATIONS GRANTED. The following applications , were granted: Permanent transfers. —J. S. vial to Myra Campbell, Victoria, Petone; M. Campbell to Mary Annie Burns, Taita ; B. Perkins to Arthur Thomas Gatrell, Railway, Lower Hutt; A. E. Clangor to R. C. Reid, Family, Lower Hutt. New applications in respect of old houses. —R. I. Low, Trentham; A. T. Gatrell, Railway, Lower Hutt; R. C. Reid, Family, Lower Hutt; Myra Campbell, Victoria, Petone. L. Simpson, Central, Lo.ver Hutt; Mary Ellen Young, Provincial. Upper Hutt; N. St. Leger, Bellovue, Lower Hutt; H. J. Palmer, Empire, Petone; E. M. Richardson, Grand National, Petone. Wholesale license. —Andrew Yates Lees, Lower Hutt.