LICENSING MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 161, 11 July 1903, Page 2

LICENSING MATTERS.

0 U«r OF APPEAL. PBE PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, July 10*.** On the Court resuming, the Chief Justice intimated that His Honor Judgo Ocop°r was unable to leave his bed, and the hearing of the licen'iog cbsjs would bo adj turned till Monday'. The Loan and Mercantile v. Reed was al-.o adjourned in consequence of Judge Cooper's illness. Counsel, Mr H. D. Bell, siid, as it seems improbable the case oan be heard this sitting, arrangements will be made, if possible, to hold a special session of tbe Court for the purpose. The motion for leave to appeal to tbe Privy Council in the Chalmers licensing case was then taken, Mr T. 8* Weston appearing for the motion and Mr Adams in opposition. Tee Court intimated that prima foci* there seemed to be a right to appeal, and it would therefore hear Mr Adams • first. Mr Adams mentioned as a preliminary objection that the statement before the Court of appeal, that Mr Graham was specially appointed chairman of the Fore Chalmers Licensing Committee, was now admitted to be a nv'stak?, and he applied to have the affidavit correcting it admitted among the p»p*rs of the ease. After considerable discussion the point was held over to enable consent of the other pirties to the amendment to be obtained. Mr Adams then proceeded to argue that the case did not cosae within tbe terms of the Order-in-Oocnoil authorising the Couit to grant leave to appeal; no property, or right to property, being involved, and no right that could be reduced to a money va'ue. Mr Adams urged that the right involved is not the right to have licensee; but merely to inquire into the validity of the p ill. The Court must not assume, if the decision was reversed, that licenses would bo issued, for even if the poll was declared invalid, it wu not yet settled that licenses could be granted. Mr T. S. Weston for the other side contended that the value of the licenses involved was far above tbe £SOO mentioned in the Order in Counoil. It was sufficient that if the decision was reversed, the poll could be attacked, and might be declared invalid. Decision was reserved.