INN-KEEPERS' DUTIES.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 June 1919, Page 5

INN-KEEPERS' DUTIES.

’ TRAVELLERS ’ CLAIMS.

At the annual meeting of the Christ—church Licensing Bench. the chairman (Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M.), in «animadverrting on the domtrol hf licensed houses, regarding their catering for the travelling public, made it very clear that the Bench had determined that licensees must discharge their duty to the public as inn-keepers, end, in the course of his remarks, Mr J. A. Cassidy, who appeared for several licensees, interpjected: “This is a period of unrest so far as licensees are concerned, end the tenure is cry frail.” “VVe are giving timely notice,” answered Mr McCarthy, “of what we may do later on.” Complaint. had reached the Committee, he added, :15 to the difliculty travellers had in getting meals.

“V7O [have had several [instances brought under our notice.” he contin-‘ ued, “where travellers‘ who have Called at hotels at other than scheduled times for meals, and have been refused such, We desire to point out that, in addition to being Hlicensees to sell liquor, licensees are also inn—l~:eepers, and are bound to supply travellers with food. So long as they retain the status of travellers, they are entitled to bed and board. Of course, if licensees do not have the necessary accommodation for all they cannot give a traveller a bed—but they can give hinl meals, and must do so at any time of the day or night, and it is a serious olfence to refuse to do so.” Mr Cassidy: It is hardly fair to make the charge against the hotels in Christchurch alone. It is a charge that can be investigated before you in another place. By the latter remark, 1\«Ir Cassidy obviously meant the Mvagistrate’s Court. ‘ Mr McCarthy: Some licensees imagine that if a traveller does not arrive in time for a meal at the scheduled time ‘he is not entitled to one. _We desire toremphasise the fact that he is entitled .to"meals at any time, tlrorigh 11ot to a -hot meal. Mr Cassidy: I would repeat, -sir, that these things can be dealt‘:-.wit.h by information before Your Worsh-ip. .= _ The Chairma_n,«ignoring the remark, passed on to the next business. '= v-us -'~=-n .::.-m!«._;_