HOTEL LICENSE REFUSED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 5 January 1911, Page 2

HOTEL LICENSE REFUSED

MAGISTRATE'S DECISION UPHELD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. On November 25 Frederick James ■Bright, settler, of Ekctahuna, being desirous of obtaining the transfer ot the license of the Telegraph Hotel; Otaki, applied for and was refused x ceitificate of fitness to hold such licanse by Mr. Thomson, Magistrate, on the grounds that applicant's wife did nos intend to reside with applicant at the hotel. The Magistrate made it a rule to refuse a certificate of fitness (except in exceptional circumstances) to married men whose wives would iiOt be resident at the hotel. Bright brought an action against the Magistrate, asking the Supreme Court to issue a mandamus ordering the issue of the ivces sary certificate.

To-day Mr. Justice Cooper delivered reserved judgment dismissing Uie eiotion with costs. In doing so he said the certificate required was not that applicant was of good fame and reputation, but that he was a tit and piuper person to be the licensee ~f teilain premises. What the Magistrate determined was that because applicant' 3 wite definitely refused to reside in the hotel, applicant was not a suitable person to hold the license, though his tame and reputation were good. That wa3 purely a matter for the Magistrate's di3;nti"n. The Magistrate 'had dealt with the case on its merits, and there was Do appeal frori his decision.