Licensing Committee.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43103, 11 June 1907, Page 3

Licensing Committee.

annual meeting 1 of the Ohinemuri Licensing Committee was held at the Paeroa Courthouse, at noon last Wednesday, the members present being Mr R. S. Bush, S.M. Messrs Gavin, Alley, Franklin, Cook and Trezise. WAIORONGOMAI HOTEL.

The police reported that the Waiorongomai Hotel was getting very old, and that several rooms downstairs were not furnished or used. police also reported that the licensee Bded that there was very little business and • the accommodation provided was quite sufficient and that the rent had had to be reduced to 10s per week. Mr Moresby, who appeared for the owners, Campbell and Ehrenfried Company, stated that it appeared that the accommodation was sufficient for the business at present as times were not too good at Waiorongomai. If the | place went ahead, perhaps a new hotel would be put up in time, and in the meantime any reasonable repairs required would be carried out.

The Chairman said that the Licensing Committee had nothing to do with the question or whether the place was paying or not. The Licensing Act said that there must be a certain amount of accommodation, and if the j owners wanted to keep the hotel they must Comply with the law. It was not a question pf whether the hotel was doing any business that had to do with the committee, The [eommittee did not want anything unreasonable, hut it was no use having an he tel if the Ipublic could not get accommodation. |" Inspector Kiely said it was quite evident [there was no necessity for an hotel at Waiobongomai. If there was no business there [was no necessity for a license. The coni table’s report was that the hotel “may” Itandon its legs for three years. I The Chairman• said that some of. the toembers of the committee stated there was no ■ear of the house falling down and that the |ouse was sufficiently furnished to meet all ■he present requirements. ■ Constable Maekle, of Tp- Aroha, being ■worn, stated that portion of the hotel was veil furnished, but that a number of rooms ■awnstairs were unfurnished, but 23 bedrooms ■Pfitafrs were In fair order. The building Bas in'a state of decay, but it would be fcs&oxg to repair it. The floor of thp fydeony Bstairs wanted attending fo and the Are ■capes required jp bp improved. P Gavin said he had been on the LicensBench for 15 years, and he had always ■lt proud of the manner in which the houses . thy To Aroha end were kept. "Whenever ■tyfhing in the way of- repairs had been Ued for it hsid always, been done. The eonfcble was a new man and did not underBnd the requirements of the district. The ■conunodation was quite sufficient for the ■esent time, and the committee would be Hite justified in granting the house a license. moved that the license he renewed Jprothe repairs required by the police are Bde and the fire escapes are attended to. — Be motion was oarried. ■aeroa and te aroha hotels. ■lnspector Kiely asked if the closing time for hotels was to be ten o’clock. Chairman said that the committee had jhat the closing time should he the ■ce as year, namely, eleven o’clook at and Te Aroha, and ten o’clock else-

nepector Kiely said that he thought this i the only district in New Zealand where re was eleven o’clock closing, Ihe Chairman said the extension had been iered by the baths at Te Aroha ing at ten o’clock, and, as the inspector w, some people liked a “ nightcap.” nspector Kiely : If they are boarders they get a drink at any timer. 'he Chairman said the reason the hour was en o’clock in Paeroa was that in boom 5 people were arriving here at all hours, uspeetor Kiely : There is no boom now. Ir Gavin : If this is the only place in v Zealand where there is eleven o’clock ing it will be well to maintain it and adise the place. tr Cock : If the public want ten o’clock ng they should ask for it. 'r Alley said that if the people wanted o’clook they could ask for it and he Id support it. r Gavin moved that the hours be the i as last year. He said the police had less trouble with eleven o’clock tpan with )’cloek closing. r Franklin seconded the motion, which carried, was therefore decided that the hours be ame as formerly, eleven o’clock at Paeroa Pe Aroha, and ten o’clock eisewhere.