LICENSING TANGLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 912, 4 March 1930, Page 16

LICENSING TANGLE

YOUNG MAN RUINED BY HOTEL DEAL COMMITTEE RELENTS Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The peculiar position of C. E. Falkner, licensee of the Albert Hotel, which has been demolished for the construction of the Majestic Hotel, was considered by the Licensing Committee today. He is a young man, an engineer by trade, t and before taking the Albert Hotel had two licences in Taranaki. Coming to Wellington he promoted a company which he induced to build the Majestic for him-, lie to have a fivie years’ licence with the right of renewal. Pie had to subscribe for 3,001 shares at £ 1 each, of which he had paid £750. Falkner having been convicted for breaches of the licensing law, the committee at its last meeting declared him unfit to hold a licence, and the company had called on him to pay him the balance on his shares. Mr. J. J. McGrath, appearing for him yesterday, said he was now a ruined man. The lease had been given to another man. Mr. McGrath asked that Falkner be allowed to carry on till the new man arrived in July, to demonstrate that he was fit to hold a licence. The committee, being informed that the company had no objection, decided to allow Falkner to continue till the end of the licensing year.