DRINK AT THE RACES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1921, Page 6

DRINK AT THE RACES.

CONDITIONAL LICENSE. EARLIER CLOSING HOUR. At a special meeting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee held yesterday an application by Edwin Whittle for a conditional license in respect to the publican’s booth at the race meeting in New Plymouth on Monday and Tuesday i next was considered. The question of the length of time for which the license should be given was also discussed. There were present: Messrs. A. M. Mowlem, S.M. (chairman), F. C. J. Bellringer.. \y. Ambury and J. S. S. Medley. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. S. Connett and F. P. Corkill. On behalf of the police, Inspector Murray said the course was so convenient to the town that the public were, well served if the booth was closed when the meeting was over. Mr. D. Hutchen, who appeared in support of the application said the police reports in the past had always been ravorable. He pointed out that the last race at the coming meeting was timed to start at 5.15 p.m. There were sometimes delays, and the races were a little late, and then there were a number of people usually waiting about for dividends, and these should be catered for he thought up to 6 o’clock as in the past. Whittle had tendered for the privileges of the booth on the understanding that 4 he hours of sale would be the same as in previous years. •The chairman here referred to the report of the police on the matter, which had led to the calling of the meeting of the committee. The report stated that at the last meeting (that of the Hunt Club) a license was granted up to 6 p m.. though the time of starting the last race was 4.15. and the majority of people left the course immediately after the race. In consequence of the booth remaining open, a constable had to be told off for duty, and it was observed that an amount' of drinking was going on and that some men and women, under the influence of liquor, were seen coming from a tent outside the booth, and that women were using the tent for the purpose of drinking. If the booth was closed at the time of starting the last race it would prevent persofis from hanging about for the purpose of drinking. Mr. Hutchen said that Mr. Whittle had decided that the tent referred to was not to be used in future. He also stated that at the last meeting the booth was al! closed up at 5.30. It was also stated that for the past 25 years Whittle had been carrying on the publicans’ booths at racecourses and lie had always had favorable reports, and the police had congratulated him on the conduct of his tooths. He thought the license should be granted up to half-an-hour after the start of the last race.

After some consideration a motion was moved by Mr. Ambury and seconded by Mr. Bellringer, that the license be granted up to 5.30 p.m. Mr. Medley moved an amendment that the time be *5.45, but there was no seconder and the amendment lapsed. The motion, on being put, was carried. An application was also considered for a publican’s license in respect to the stewards’ tand. Inspector Murray stated that from his observations he thought the booth provided all the facilities necessary for the supply of liquor at the course. Mr. Whittle said it was the practice of all clubs to have a license in the stewards’ stand. The application was made in deference to the wishes of the committee of the club, and not because he expected it to be a profitable underchairman asked what provision was made for keeping the. public out of such a place, and questioned, if a publican’s license was granted, whether the public could be excluded from the place. Mr. Whittle said the stewards would see to that. Only those wearing stewards’ badges could go in there or take anyone else in. He suggested calling the chairman of the club committee to satisfy rhe committee as to this.

After consideration a motion was mor<xl by Messrs. Bellringer and Ambury to the effect that the application should be declined and this was carried. Mr. Medley recording his dissent therefrom.