THE LICENSING BILL.

Patea Mail, 18 June 1881, Page 4

THE LICENSING BILL.

The Licensing Bill now before the Assembly repeals all existing statutes. The principle of local option is to be applied to all applications for new licenses. No licensee is to have a direct or indirect interest in more than one house. Licenses are divided into two classes; the first including publicans, hotels, club, bottle, colonial wine, and billiard table licenses, new licenses to be granted at the annual meeting. The second class contains packet, wholesale and conditional licenses. Under the c|ub license, the licensee must be an officer of the club, and may only supply to bond'fide members and their guestsNew Zealand wine licenses authorise the sale, between 6 a.ra. and 10 p.m., in. quantities not exceeding two gallons, of wine, cider, and perry, the produce of fruit grown in the colony, the liquor to have a strength not exceeding 30 per cent of proof spirit. These licenses may be granted at any time.

The fees are :—Publicans license within the borough, £4O : outside, £3O; club licenses, £2O ; bottle license, £4O , New Zealand wine license, £1; billiard table license, £lO ; packet license, £10; wholesale license, £10; conditional licenses, according to duration, not exceeding £3O. There are provision for registration of licensed premises, duties and liabilities of licensees, debts for liquor nonrecoverable, &c. No liquor is to be supplied to persons of either sex apparently under the age of sixteen years. Convictions for selling adulterated liquor to be endorsed on license, placarded on premises, and for second offence to be advertised at offender’s cost.