LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9417, 10 June 1882, Page 2

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

The first annual meeting of the Temuka Licensing Committee was held yesterday. Present—All the members. THE WALLIHGFOIiD HOTEL. Mr White applied on behalf of Frederick Storey for a license for the above hotel. MrHainersley appeared on behalf of the licensed victuallers to oppose [the application. Mr White objected to Mr Hameraiey appearing on the ground that no notice of the objection had been given. After some discussion the Committee decided that as Mr Hamersley had not given notice of his intention to object, it was not competent for him to appear on behalf of the licensed victuallers. Mr White then applied on behalf of Mr Storey for the license. He reminded the

Committee that some time ago when p’ans were submitted for a hotel, the former Licensing Commissioners looked favorably on granting a license for another hotel in the town. The Chairman said the opinion given by the former Commissioners coa'-d have no weight whatever. Besides, the house then appli d for was a large hotel which Mr Arenas intended to bu : ld close to the railway station. Mr White d‘d not wish to press the question that the former Licensing Commissioners looked favorably upon in* ere;.sing the number o£ hotels. He only gave it as an instance that for a long time there was an inclination to increase the number of hotels. The poll'ng which had taken place recently showed that the people desired to increase the number of houses. And there was a memorial signed by 109 residents well known to the Committee supporting the application, and a petition testifying the applicant to be a suitable person. The first objection to the house was that it was not required. The public were the best Judges of that, and they bad decided that it was. The second objection was there was no sittingroom upstairs but that would be remedied. • With regard to staircases they would also be altered,and as for provisions for a fireescape the Committee could enforce proper attention being paid to it. The outoffices could also be altered, and as Ihere was no objection to the applicant he did not see why the license should not be granted. Constable Morton raised objections to the effect that the house was irregularly constructed. The staircases were unsuitable. The out-offices were in an improper place; there were no stables ; but the principal objection was that there was sufficient accommodation for the requirements of tfee place without it. There were -rooms in the other hotels which were, not used from one year’s end to the other. There was no objection against the applicant. Mr White having replied, the Committee retired, and alter a few minutes’ absence returned into Court. The Chairman said that before giving their decision he wished to make a few remarks. The petition signed by 10S residents did not say that the house was required—it only stated that the applicant was a suitable person to conduct it. As for the poll which was taken, it was not to decide whether this house should get a license or not. It was whether any more licenses should be granted in this large district for the next three years. The Committee were of opinion that the bouse was not needed, and therefore had unanimously resolved to refuse to grant a license. If there was more accommodation i.i the town it would reduce the trade to a bar business and that would not be desirable at all. RENEWAL OF LICENSES. The licenses of the Star Hotel, the Crown Hotel, the Royal Hotel, and the Temuka Hotel, were renewed, the police having reported very favorably of them. THE SPUR HOTEL. An accommodation license was granted to Mr Gilmore for the above hotel. THE ORABI HOTEL. The police reported favorably of the hotel, but said that it was within 3| miles of Geraldine, and that under Clause 32 of the Act it should get a publican’s in place of an accommodation license. Mr Hamersley, who appeared for the applicant, contended that the danse referred to, under which every licensed house within five miles of another licensed house should obtain a publican’s instead of an accommodation license, did not apply in cases of renewal. It only applied where new licenses were to be granted. After a lengthy argument the Chairman said that the Committee taok the same view of it as Mr Hamersley, and granted an accommodation license. - THE WINCHESTER HOTEL, Mr T. Swinton, through Mr Hamersley, applied for an accommodation. lidense for the above hotel. Some objection was taken to the size of the rooms by the police, but Mr S winton said that plans for the enlargement of the house were prepared, and that it would soon be added to. On this understanding the accommodation license was granted, TWELVE O’CLOCK LICENSES. Mr Peter Coira applied for a twelve o’clock license. The police opposed it on the ground that there was no necessity for it, Mr Quinn said if one publican got a twelve o’clock license it would only be fair to give it to the whole four houses. The Committee decided not to grant it to any of them, but that all houses should be shut at ten o’clock. ; The Committee, after transacting some further routine business, then adjourned.