A LICENSING CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 138, 4 November 1914, Page 4

A LICENSING CASE.

AQMifITTEE'S DBCISCON. By Telegraph.-—Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, To-day the Supremo Court delivered judgment in the case of J*', C. Cook and J. Drysdalu versus L. (i. Raid Mid other members of the Pahiatua Licensing Committee, u case of interest to pub-il.-ana. Cook was the licensee, and Drysdale is tho owner of tho Kumeroft Hotel. Cook duly gave notice of his intention to apply for a renewal of his license at the annual meeting of the Committee, which was set down for June 2 last. lAs Continuance had been carried in the district, he had a statutory right of renewal, subject to the usual conditions. Certain improvements to the hotel were requisitioned by the Licensing 1 Committee on May 25, including a new hot-water service and cleaning up of th», stable and lavatories. A meeting waa' held on June 5, and the Committee refused the ranewal of the license, but stated that if the improvements were effected beforo the next quarterly meet* ing it would be prepared to grant the renewal of the license. A temporary license was granted for-three months, as only portion of the improvements had been carried out. At the quarterly meeting it was found that the Committee's requisitions had not been complied with, owing, it was stated, to the licensee's inability to pay for than. {The license was extended to September 30, when the hotel was closed. Meanwhilo, an application for a mandamus to the defendants as above was brought to Be* eure the renewal of the license; The Court held that the licensee's application was .not fully disposed of by the refusal at the annual meeting, and bin statutory Tight to renewal remained in • force; that the further hearing of the application was properly taken on the occasion of the quarterly meeting; and' that the Committee acted within their powers in denying a further adjourn* nient, and proceeding to refuse the license. The application was, dismissed.