LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8832, 7 June 1907, Page 2

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

MANAWATXJ. - At tho sitting of the above Mt Stanford moved and Mr Perry seconded “That netting bo put round all balconies which are not provided with close parapets; that the minimum- width of all future balconies be 2ft. Cm ; that the down ladders from ; all balconies bo in the form of stair cases, and placed at an angle of 45 degrees at each end or the balcony.” ; ~, _ , On resuming niter lunch the Bench considered tho application from the proprietor of the Post Office Hotel, Poston. It waa eventually decided that tho renewal will be considered in three mouths’ time, provided that tho licensee carry out alterations and improvements to the satisfaction of tho Health Officer and the police. The Chairman that two of tho bedrooms be swept away, and ho strongly advised tho owner of the premises to consider tho_ advisability of erecting a new building. Mr Lyon appeared for the applicant. The police report on tho "White Hart Hotel condemned four bedrooms that were only lighted and ventilated by skylights, and which provided no other means of exit in case of fire, except one door opening

on to the miiu corridor. Mr Cohen, who appeared for tho applicant, intimated that Mr Gibbons was prepared to carry out any reasonable alterations that tho. Committee might suggest. Mr Gibbons gave evidence, and said that it was his intention to convert tho rooms now leased as a Club iuto bedrooms at the expiry _ of tho lease, and ho pointed out the inconvenience that would result to tho public iu the meantime if ho was compelled to closo four rooms containing six hods. Mr Cohen asked the Bench to adjourn the consideration of tho'

matter till they could get some responsible architect to submit a remedy. Mr Gibbous was prepared to alter the rooms immediately so as to provide another exit iuto a corridor leading to the main balcony. The Committee retired to consider tho matter, and the Chairman reported that they had decided to have tho whole of the rooms closed, and. tho application for tho renewal of the license would be held over for three mouths in common with other applications. . Mr Ooheu supported the applica - tiou of Mr .F. Rhodes for a renewal ■it the Raugitikoi Hotel, Bulls. Tho police reported that a balcony was iu course of erection, but it was not iu accordance with the requirements laid down by tho Committee. Mr Rhodes stated that ho was prepared to alter tho dimensions, and it was decided to consider tho renewal of tho license iu three mouths’ time, when the fire escape is completed. 'Mr Lvou appeared for Mr Tyrrell, Clifton” Hotel, Bulls, who was given throe mouths to effect improvements, special attention being directed to the condition of two bedrooms. An application was made by W. C. Fenton, of Palmerston North, and by J. Campion, of Bulls, for a license for tho building known ns the Criterion Hotel, Bulls, which was refused last year, Mr Cohen appearing on behalf of the applicant. Mr Cohen addressed the Committee at considerable length, pointing out that the cutting up of several estates and tho presence of several fiaxinills iu the locality created fi necessity for more accouuuodation. Ho cited cases, and contended that closing one hotel in a town did not make any difference in the amount of liquor consumed. Tho vote at the last general election, was iu favour of tho number of Hocuses remaining as at present. Mr Campion’s application was supported bv a petition signed by a largo number of tho leading men of tho district, and ho assured the Committee that if a license was granted tho house would lie put in first-class order and brought into line with tho leading hotels on tho" coast. , _ , Constable Breen stated that ho had no objection to a license -being granted, but Rio thought that there was sufficient hotel accommodation in tho town at present. Tho Committee retired to consider the matter, and reported that neither application would ho entertained. Sergeant Bowden, of Fcildiug appeared for tho police in each case. A wholesale license was granted to Messrs Abraham and Willims, merchants, Martou. Tho meeting then adjourned.-