Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1298, 4 June 1880, Page 2

The New Licensing Bill, by £he Government, is not of so sweeping a nature as was expected, • but still some of its provisions are sufficiently "revolutionary" to create no small amount of stir. The principal alteration proposed in the Licensing Law of the Colony is the total ftbglitjon of bottle licenses, which are to cease to exist absolutely on the 30th June, ISBI. It had been expected that the principle of local option would be brought into force generally by the Act, but such is not the case. Present licensed hotels are not to be interfered with, and a compensation clause is therefore unnecessary.' It is fortunate that it ig sq, for had the case been otherwise, we fail to see where the money would have been obtained to settle claims for compensation. The principle is, however, to be brought into force in regard to new licenses. Before any license can be issued the question is to be put to the votes of the'electors whether of not there shall be an increase of licensed houses in their district; but even after this vote has been taken, the " Licensing Committee," consisting of the fcesident Magistrate and four persons to be appointed by the Governor, has the power to determine whether or- not any particular license shall be issued. This Committee cannot grant any new license without the consent of the electors of a district. Seven classes of licenses are : provided for, the nature and the fees charged being as follow : —Pnblicans', from 6 a.m. to 10p.m., L4Q in a borough and L3O outside, midnight licenses being granted on payment of LlO extra; family hotels, containing not less than ten bedrooms, for the sale of liquor to bonci Jide residents in the house, L2O; billiardtables, LlO, also included in hotel licenses; conditional licenses for booths at races, &c., up to L3O at the discretion of the Court; packet, for coasting. vessels at sea, L 1 0; clubs, L2O ; wholesale, for the sale of two gallons and upwards, LlO. The provisions made for the conduct of licensed houses are J very stringent, and should the Act come into operation in its present shape, publicans will be liable to no end of fines, penalties, and punishments. For sly grog-selling, probably as a safeguard in the case of the "family proposed to be created, the penalties are Lo), or one month's imprisonment, for the first offence; LI 00, or three months' imprisonment, for the second ; and five years' disqualification for the third. Adulteration is also visited with severe punishment, the offence being one involving forfeiture and publication of conviction.