LICENSING LAWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 919, 18 February 1882, Page 3

LICENSING LAWS.

TO THE EDITOR, Sib, —Would you inform me whether it ia a 'breach of the Licencing Lorre lor a publican

to bring a case of spirits to a meeting held for sport, and then take round the hat afterwards to'collect reon ,-y to pay for the liquor ? Would not the proper mode of procedure be for a special license to be obtained to sell liquor ou the ground that day. Tjj-lkjng of the Licensing Laws, I was atpused on reading in your paper a description of the meeting of the Good Templars and Publicans. It was proposed by a Publican, seconded by a Good Templar, and carried unanimously—- “ That it be a recommendation to the Licensing Bench that there are already a sufficient number of licensed houses in the district.” Of course the publicans thin k there is quite sufficient competition, and the 1.0.G.T.’s supported them, though from quite another standpoint. I hope the Licensing Bench, whoever they may be, will take the recommendation of a hole and corner meeting of interested Publicans and a few blatant G.T.’s for what it is worth. The idea Was to present Mr Hayhurst procuring a license for the really fine building he has erected. Would it not be . better, in the interests of temperance and public accommodation to grant a license to Mr Hayhurst’s house and stop the renewal of their licenses to some of the present drinking shop rookeries on the first opportunity. By the way I notice that an individual who had something to say in the R.M. Court not long ago about sly grog selling takes a great interest in the constitution of the Bench . Has he given up the business and been received back once more a returned and repentant prodigal by his forgiving 1.0.G.T. brethren. Winchester is rather an important district, but I notice thst it is quite unrepresented. I woula not he surprised to see Winchester in the field with a candidate who will take a lot of beating.—l am, etc., Lioij Skinner. Temuka, Feb. 17, 1882. [Our correspondent is, we think, very unjust in his remarks about our hotels. The hotels in this town can compare favorably with the hotels in any town of its size in Hew Zealand, and the fact that within our recollection none of the hotelkeepers have been fined, shows that they are well conducted. The combined meeting certainly went a little out of its way, when it took upon itself to make re jommendations to the Licensing Comipittee. The people have now been given the power to say whether they want more hotel accommodation or not. — Ed. T.L.]