THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 377, 29 July 1874, Page 5

THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

(Telegraphic Summary to "Daily Times.") The Licensing Bill circulated contains thirty-eighfc clauses. It docs nofc appeal but amends Ah*. Fox's Act' It declares every existing Licensing Court duly constituted notwithstanding any informalities in appointment, either in respect oi the Court itself or its individual member*. Tho same clause also validates ail existing licenses of what ever kind granted under the Act, or in supposed conformifcy with ifc, and whether granted at times and iv manner appointed or not. Provincial Acts during year (?) and not inconsistent with Fox's Acfc and this one, are to remain in force. The provisions of last year's Act relating lo the appointment of Commissioners is repealed, but provisions substituted do not differ materially. The Governor is to fix quorum for each Court, and may, if he likes, remove any Cdmmisiouer from office. Holders of licenses to be allowed more than one public bar, but for every such au additional bar an additional licenso of one-third ordinary fee to be paid. Wholesale and packet licenses may be issued by the Provincial Treasurer at any time. Brewers' licenses may be issued under any Provincial Acfc recognising or requiring them. Where license fees are Municipal revenue, the Mayor issues wholesale and packet licenses, each of which must havo a year's currency. Packet licenses issued for Colony and nofc for Province merely. Wholesale dealers and brewers are still required to take out licenses under the Distillation Act. Quarterly licensing meeting, with all powers appertaining to annual meetings, to be held on first Tuesday in the months of December, March, June, and September each year, for granting, transferring, and renewing licenses. Notice of such meeting to be given one month before by at least three advertisements. 'Applications for licenses to be lodged fourteen days before fche date of meeting, and when application is made for renewing of existing license, no householder's certificate required. Bottle licenses authorised to be granted. Every holder of a publican's or bottle license to be held entitled to renewal as a matter of course, unless it is proved to fche Licensing Court; thai he has lost his good character, and the Court is bound lo grant a renewal unless notice of objection is given. Unless such notice, setting forth grounds of objection, has been duly lodged with the Clerk, and a copy sent to licensee, no applicant for a renewal to be required to attend personally ' at Court. Transfers may be objected to iv the same way as new licenses. Licenses issued in June are to date for a year from the Ist of July following. Those granted afc other licensing meetings from any of the I following months to 30th Juno, a proportionate amount of the annual license to be paid. The Chairman of the Court may afc any time grant a temporary transfer to a purchaser of licensed premises, and the Court itself may authorise the transfer of a liy-ense to different premises. The legal representatives of a deceased licensee may obtain from fche Chairman authority to carry ou business. The Resident Magistrate of any district may afc any time grant any holder of a publican's license an extension authorising him to cell al Volunteer encampments, races, fairs, games, regattas, cricket-grounds, theatres, musichalle, cr other places of public amusement, for any proportionate period not exceeding seven days, and may impose whal conditions he likes on tho occasion oi' any ball, dinner, or other festivity in licensed house. The Resident Magistrate may authorise keeping open licensed house up lo midnight. Iv case of frivolous objection to license, costs may be given agaiust objector, but not against any offered by police. No objection be heard unless notice has becu given, aud no subordinate officer of police is to make any objection not contained in official report required from chief ollicer of police. Persons giving false evidence before a Licensing Court may bo indicted for perjury, and all orders made by the Court may be enforced by summary proceedings. Forms may be altered to suit; circumstances. A schedule of authorised Court fees is prescribed. Tho Minister of Public Works is authorised to grant licenses for refreshment rooms at railway stations.