THE LICENSING LAW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2509, 30 May 1893, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

In his charge to the orrand Jury at Wellington yesterday morning, Mr Justice Richmond made some severe remarks on the administration of the Incensing Act in Wellington. He said th.e manners and customs in the city in the small hours of morning could not be called satisfactory. He did not blame anybody, but he must say that there was a laxity in the administration of the existing licensing law which was very much to be deplored, If the evidence in many of the depositions which came before him was to be believed, it appeared that liquor could be obtained from licensed houses between twelve and one in the morning. A judge, however, could say nothing in these cases reflecting on persons not concerned in the charge. However, when circumstances such as he mentioned were proved in Court, as they frequently were, it was the duty of the police to tiko cognisance of the fact and lay particulars before the licensing committee. To wilfully allow drunkenness on the premises of licensed houses after closing hour was a sufficient cause of logs of license, and yet over and over again it was proved in Court that men were allowed to soak in certain hotels at all hours. If he himself had anything to do in the malter, the license of a man who allowed such a thing would be gone for ever. The present, however, was no proper occasion for mentioning names. As the abolition of the functior,s of grand juries wa3 impending, this might be the last opportunity he would have of addressing them, and as representing the magistracy of the city he wished to call their attention to the qircumstaucea bo had recounted,