NEW COUNCIL'S FIRST ORDINARY MEETING

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 97, 27 November 1953, Page 5

NEW COUNCIL'S FIRST ORDINARY MEETING

HAWKER'S LICENSE REFUSED The first ordinary monthly meeting of the newly elected Taupo Borough Council was held on Wednesday, Nevember 18, when there were present the Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, and Councillors K. O. Lewis, J. D. Swan, C. J. Vedder, J. E. Barton, J. M. Stanley, C. S. Currie, W. G. Morris. Pollowing confirmation of the minutes, correspondence was dealt with and accounts totalling £1122 were passed for payment, being District Fund Account £1021/16/1, Electricity Department £41/9/10, and Domain Board £58/14/1. Power Loan accounts totalling £3228/6/3, were also passed for payment. Mrs I. C. O'Brien wrote applying for renewal of her hawker's license. The Town Clerk mentioned that Mrs O'Brien had been granted a license last year. He understood that she was not a hawker in the usual way, but that she took orders for a firm in Taumarunui and

acted as receiving agent for them. Hitherto hawker's licenses had been issued as a matter of course through the office, but as the matter had been discussed by the late Town Board on a number of occasions in connection with by-laws revision he had deemed it best to hold the matter of renewal of the license over for the Council. The license had expired two months ago.

Cr. Vedder said that he understood that goods sold were an exclusive line of frocks. Cr Currie said he was not aware of the type of goods sold. He understood that the local businessmen's view was that hawker's licenses should be curtailed. The town was growing and the shops with it and an increasing variety of goods was available in the town were sold, he considered that otherwise licenses should be curtailed.

Cr. Barton said that in general he was opposed to hawkers unless special circumstances existed. Cr. Stanley agreed with the application. Cr. Lewis said the town was still very young as regards shopping, and the people were entitled to have exclusive goods and if the goods were exclusive the applicant should have a license.

Cr. Swan said they should be careful in creating precedents. The matter had been discussed b,efore and they should consider that if they granted one license it would be difficult to knock others back. Cr. Lewis asked whether the applicant took orders only, or did she sell exclusive goods only? Cr. Stanley moved that the hawker's license be granted, the applicant having been licensed before and there being nothing against renewal. Cr. Lewis seconded the motion. Cr. Young said each case should be decided on its merits. The motion was put and lost, there being three votes in favour.

Merchant Navy Appeal. A letter applying for permission to hold a Street Appeal in Taupo on or about May 6th or 7th next was read from the Merchant Navy Committee, comprising the Auckland Sailors' Home, Apostleship of the Sea, British Sailors' Society, Auckland; Flying Angel Mission to Seamen and Surf Life Saving Association. It was stated that in Auckland the appeal would be assisted by the University Students Capping Day parade. The letter mentioned that this was the first time that a street appeal had been asked for in Taupo by the Merchant Navy Committee. ^ Cr. Swan asked what the Council's policy was to be in connection with street appeals. In Auckland it had been found necessary to limit the numbe*; of street appeals

to five or six per annum. A number of local organisations would doubtless want permission. Cr. Lewis was in favour of the cause but questioned the matter of outside applications. Cr. Young thought they should enquire as~to the procedure followed in other boroughs and that more information should be secured before voting on the question. Cr. Barton said that he was acquainted with the work of all the organisations aftd that they were all doing good work. He moved that the request for permission for . a street appeal in Taupo be granted. The motion was seconded by the Mayor. On it being put to the meeting Cr. Barton's vote was the only one in favour of the motion which was accordingiy lost.