LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 307, 5 June 1915, Page 6

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL .MEETING. J THE CONDITION OF HOTELS. ' Tile annual sitting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee took place at the , New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, when there were present:— Messrs. A. Crooke, S. M. (presiding), F. I'. Gorkill, <T. B. C'onnett, W. L. Newman, W. Ambury and D. 11. McDonald. RENEWALS GRAFTED. The following licensees were granted renewals of their licenses: —Harold J. S. Brookman (Mr. Ronald Quilliam), White Hart Hotel; William G. Emeny (Mr. 11. E. Billing), Royal Hotel; John McKcen (Mr. Billing), Criterion Hotel; Charles A. Sansom, Breakwater Hotel; Edwin Whittle (Mr. Eonald Quilliam), Rod House Hotel; Charles Harrison (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), Grosvenor Hotel; B. F. Booker (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), Okato Hotel; Edward McGinty (Mr. A. 11. Johnstone), Railway Hotel, Inglewood; Andrew Lang (Mr. A. 11. Johnstone), Inglewood Hotel; Goldwater Bros. (Mr. Eonald Quilliam). wholesale license; Northern Steamship" Company (Mr. Ronald Quilliam), packet license for s.s. Rarawa. THE IMPERIAL HOTEL. The police report stated that some alterations were necessary to the Imperial Hotel; licensee. Charles Potts. Mr. Johnstone, who appeared on behalf of the licensee, stated that tho work Potts was required to do under j his lease had already been carried out, I but the additional fire escape mention- j ed would have to be done by the owner. ' ; Mr. R. Quilliam said his firm repre- | scnted the owners, and had received instructions to have this work attended to. Tin license was granted. TERMINUS HOTEL. Spencer Eidgely applied for the renewal of tho license of the Terminus Hotel. Mr. J. E. Wilson, who appeared for the licensee, stated that the police report referred to several improvements that were necessary to this house. The licensee had had these carried out, with the exception of the demolition of the outbuildings, as required by the police. This matter was in the hands of the owner, the licensee having no power i« the question. Mr. Billing said his firm represented the owner (Mr. Raines), and lie thought that if the demolition of the outbuildings was necessary it would be done.

Sub-Inspector Fo'uhy said if the conditions of the buildings did not warrant their demolition tliev wove too small in any case. All the other necessary improvements were carried out, and the house was now in good condition. Mr. Billing said they were awaiting instructions of the committee as to the alterations necessary to the outbuildings, which would be carried out.

The license was then granted,

OAKURA HOTEL.

William M. St. George, for whom Mr. J. E. Wilson appeared, applied for a renewal of the accommodation license of the Oakura Hotel.

Mr. Wilson said the police report on this hotel was received just a week before the date of that meeting, and came as a shock to the licensee and owner. It stated that the building was old and dilapidated, and was not fit to bo licensed. The report iwent beyond the actual facts. No objection had been raised to the granting of the license previously, and it was impossible that the building could have become in this condition since the house was last reported on. It was a wayside hotel that complied with tho requirements of the Licensing Act, and provided the accommodation as could be expected in such a house.

Sergeant Bowden described the condition of ttie building, declaring that the whole of it, including the outbuildings, was in a dilapidated condition. Downstairs one room did not appear to be used at all, and two others were practically unfurnished. The dining-room was furnished better. Practically the whole of the second floor was occupied by the licensee and his family, there being two rooms at the disposal of the travelling public, one of which was unfurnished. There were no fire escapes, and the stairs were steep and narrow. In case of fire no one on the upper floor could possibly escape. They were the worst licensed premises he had inspected in thirty-five years, and he did not think anything like thein existed in the Dominion. In-reply to Mr. Wilson, witness said Mrs. St. George did not tell him that only two rooms were used by the family. He saw no rope fire escapes. The house was well conducted. Tho house could not be necessary or it would not have been allowed to get into such a bad condition. To the committee, witness further stated Mrs. St. George told him they did not get anyone staying at the house. William M. St. George said there were four rooms for the use of travellers; his family occupied two rooms and one remained unfurnished on tho second floor. Ihere were no regular boarders, but some occasional ones. Downstairs, there were three sitting-rooms and a commercial-room. The latter was used tile most and was fully furnished. Numerous drovers put up at the house. Rope fire escapes were provided. Mr._ J. E. Wilson suggested that the committee should inspect the house. The committee agreed to the proposal.

Resuming in the afternoon, after having inspected the Oakura Hotel, the chairman said the license would not be renewed unless a fire escape was provided, and also other conveniences as required by the police. Mr. Wilson intimated that this would be done without delav.

Tiie chairman said the committee would expect to see a new house erected before application was made for a renewal at the next annual meeting of the committee. He asked Mr. Wilson when the improvements would be effected.

Mr. Wilson said lie represented Mr. James Roth cry, the owner, who was perfectly willing to carry out the alterations. <TTe had his' authority to have the work done, and it would 110 doubt ho done before the end of the month. The committee then granted the application. HOTEL LIGHTS. Mr. J. TC. ilson applied for licensees of hotels throughout the town to be allowed to extinguish their lights at 10 p.m. Rub-Tnspcctor Foully .-aid this was granted in other large towns, and no objection could be raised in a well-light-ed town. Mr. Wilson imm!e;l out fliat it had been the practice in Xew Plymouth for rome years. The permission was granted. HOT WATER F.n; IiATIfS. Tile nolice reported rn several hotels where hot water Tvnr, not laid 011 to baths. 111 reply to the committee, Sub-Inspector Fouhv said this matter was originally brought up by the Health

Department, and it was usual to report on houses which did not possess a hot-water serrice to the bath.

Members of the profession pointed out that such a request had not been made previously in the Taranaki district. The committco considered that all hotels in the borough should have hot water available in the bathroom', and decided to notify those not provided with ths same.