LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1916, Page 7

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING. ' Tlie annua] meeting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee took place at New Plymouth yesterday. JPr'esent: Messrs A. Crooke, S.M. (presiding), F. P Corkill, J. B. Connett, \V. L. Newman, W. Arabury and D. H. McDonald. TRANSFERS. The following applications for transfers were granted:—Breakwater Hotel, 0. A. Sanson to Thoa. Knowles (Mr 11. R. Billing); Okato Hotel, B. T. Booker to Alex Sanson (Mr. J. 11. Quilliam). RENEWALS GRANTED. The following licensees were granted renewals:—H. J. S. Brookman (Mr. J. H. Quilliam), White Hart Hotel; C A. Harrison (Mr. A. H. Johnstone, for Mr Grey), Grosvenor Hotel; W. Emeny (Mr. H. R. Billing), Roval Hotel; Edwin Whittle (Mr. J.'H. Quilliam), Red House Hotel; Alex. Sanson (Mr. J. H. Quilliam), Okato Hotel; Goldwater Bros. (Mr. J. H. Quilliam), wholesale license; Northern S.S. Co. (Mr. J. H. Quilliam), packet license for s.s. Rarawa. Licenses that wore applied for by A. Lain" (Mr lA. Patcrson), Inglewood Hotel; .T. MeKean (Mr. H. R. BSlling), Criterion Hotel; and C. Potts (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), Imperial Hotel, were granted, subject to certain repairs being effected, principally fire escapes. Permission was granted to licensees of hotels in New IPlymouth and Inglewood boroughs to extinguish outside lights at 10 p.m.

THE OAKURA HOTEL. The police report stated that the building was a very old one, two storied, with slate roof. It had lately been cleared and patched up, but was rather rotten. Some of the partitions consist «nly of scrim and paper. There was supposed to be an eight-stall stable, but this was rotten and falling down, and, except one uox, was past use as a stable. ' :

. Mr. A. H. Johnstone (instructed by Mr. Crey), who appeared for the owner said that it was true that the building was an old one, but he understood that at the last annual meeting the members had visited it and suggested certain repairs, which had been carried out. Since then the license had changed hands, and the house, which was an accommodation one, had been admirably conducted. He submitted that there was nothing in the police report that warranted the committee in saying that it did not come up to the standard required by the Act. The licensee was prepared to put the stables in order, though counsel questioned whether stabling was required in the case of an accommodation house.

At Mr Connett's request, the clause in last year's minutes was read. This showed that the license was granted subject to certain repairs, "the committee intimating that a license would not be granted for the same building next year." -Mr. Connett said that there was a distinct understanding that the committee would insist on a new building.

Mr. Johnstone contended that the committee had no power to order the erection of a new building. They were entitled by law to a renewal of the license, unless there was an objection by the police or public. All requirements oF the Licensing Act that had been asked for had been complied with, and the accommodation provided at the Oakura Hotel fully met the requirements of the district.

The chairman said that they were told at the last annual meeting that it was the intention of the owner to build a one-storey building to attract visitors from New Plymouth. Mr. A. H. Johnstone considered that in the present state of the hotel trade, owing to the war, and the possible further limitations to be imposed on licensees, it would be a bold roan that would rebuild this hotel now.

Mr. Corkill: Then as long as the house stands up we should go on renewing the license? The chairman said Mr. Johnstone's contention was that if the house was kept at the required standard the license must be renewed.

Mr. Johnstone said that they did not desire to evade any responsibility undertaken last year. He had not understood that there was any undertaking to re-build. The main objection now was as to the stable. This, he was prepared to undertake would be placed in order. Age was no valid reason why the license should be refused. There were at least six rooms that were reasonably fit for the accommodation of the public.

Mr. Connett said that the committee had intimated that a nevv building should be erected, and the owner had said this would he done. Now counsel submitted that the war had interfered, next year it would be the election, and so the matter would go on time after time. The committee had acted fairly in the .matter by giving twelve months' warning, and had been ignored. After further discussion the matter was held over till after the luncheon adjournment, when it was discussed in committee' and finally adjourned for further consideration until June 28. THE TERMINUS HOTEL.

S. Eidgley (Mr. A. H. Johnstone, instructed by Mr. Grey) applied for renewal of license.

The police report showed that the licensee had heen convicted and fined twice for breaches of the Licensing Act. Since the last conviction in March tin conduct of the hotel had improved. The clerk (Mr. Terry) said that he had received two communication', one from Dr. Sydney Smith, District Health Officer, who notified that a certificate had been issued on the borough ai'thorities requiring certain repairs. He forwarded a copy to the committee, which, ho trusted would see its way clear to have these recommendations complied with before granting a renewal of the license. The report certified that the building wa.s, by reason of its insanitary condition, dangerous to public health, and the owner should make certain structural alterations. These included overhauling the roof, removal of unsound timber in walls, floor, etc., and replacing this. Mr. A. H. Johnstone submitted that the Health Department had no locus standi as an The Borough Council had the matter in hand, and if they did not see that any necessary work was done then it was the duty of the Health Department to do it, and not shelve the matter on the Licensing Committee. It had not been proved that the building was insanitary, though it might be old and out-of-date. If the repairs mentioned were carried out it would put further away than ever the erection of a new hotel, which was what the committee wished. He protested against the Health Department using the committee as a lever. If the buildins was substantially wrong the matter

should have come before the committee in a proper way, through the Inspector of Licensed Houses. The licensee had not even had notice of tliis objection, Moreover, it would inflict a hardship to be compelled to carry out this work, which would entail the destruction of a lot of repairs that had been carried out last year at a cost of £3OO to £4OO. The chairman remarked that it was a piece of impertinence for the health officer to approach the Licensing Committee. The sub-inspector said that, candidly speaking, the house was in such a condition that it was useless going to the expense required. It should either be left as it is or re-built. The committee also decided to defer consideration of this matter until the 28th inst. RAILWAY HOTEL, INGLEWOOD. Mr. A. H. Johnstone (instructed by Mr. G. Grey) appeared for Mr. E. McGinty, licensee of the Railway Hotel, Inglewood. The report showed that the hotel was built about 40 years ago, and was m very bad repair. It enumerated various matters that required attention, including repainting and repairing, The outbuildings at the back were in a dilapidated condition. The report concluded: "It is very questionable whether this hotel is worth putting in repair. Probably the simplest matter would be to build a new house." This was, after a short discussion, ako adjourned till the 28th inst.