LICENSED VICTUALLERS'- MEETING.

West Coast Times, Issue 136, 23 February 1866, Page 2

LICENSED VICTUALLERS'- MEETING.

A mcotiug of Licensed Victuallers was hold last night at tho Lord Nelson Hotel, when thcro was a good attendance of hotel-keepers, und a rathor strong muster of the publio. Tho business of tho evening was comraonced by Mr Edwards moving that Mr Konncdy tako tho chair, which being seconded by Mr Isaacs, was carriodainanimously. Tho Chairmon then stated tho object in calling tho meeting and said that ho felt confident an hotolkeeper could not pay tho wages now ruling in Hokitika and sell nobblers at sixpence cuoh, unless they wero vory muoh doctored. Mi* Back said that if nobblers woro to bo sold at Bixponco a pioco ho should tell thejearpentor, tho nuißon, tho shoemaker, and tho tailor, who wanted JBI a day that ho would not givo it and would decline paying more than 10s. Mr Moynell then proposed the first resolution, which was scconclod by Mr Melody — 11 That in tho opinion of this meeting, considering the ruling prices of the import market, it is impossiblo to supply a fair quantity of a genuine- artiolo for less than one shilling." Carried unanimously. < Tho chairman said ho would liko somo of tho merchants of Hokitika to give an opinion on tho matter, as ho was sure tho mooting wished tho question to bo fully disoussod and not to confine themselves to statements made t>y publicans.

Mr Munro then addrosscd tho mooting, and romarkod that ho had not intended to tako any part 'in the meeting, but since Mr ICennody had spoken ho would just say a fow words. All tliat ho, could stato was that English porter could not bo obtained for loss than 16s 6d a dozen, that there wero but tbroo glasses in a bottle, and therefore the licensed victuallers woro quite right in upholding thoir prices. of drinks. I mined, ho was suro that a publionu in Hokitika could not sell liquors at Melbourne prices and pay his expenses- The 1 publio he thdught could afford, and would not object, to paying a shilling for a good drink ; and his experience hud taught him that the place in which i ho prices of evory thing were high, that place was the most prosperous. He would tel tho meeting th >t when he was in Otago, a publican, who was doing a first-class business at the Dunstan, lowered tho prico of his liquors to 6d a nobbier, and the consequence was that tbo man failed, and he was- quito sure that tho same roßiilt would bo seen horo if publicans loworcd tho prico.

Mr Ohosney said ho -would not make a spuooh but would simply say thnt all Mr Muuro had said ho would cordially endorse.

Mr Curtain said that tho publio genorally wore not awaro that hotelkeepors had to pay 6cl for ovory bottle of gingerbeor, lomomtde, and soda water thoy purchased, and ho was euro that tho cordial manufacturers would not lowor thoir price, and of coureo tho publicans could not bo oxpeoted to lower their charges. Mr JDooloy $aid ho would no' supply any hotol-keoper at a less rato than 6s. a dozen. Thoy might givo brandy-dash if thoy liked, but thoy should not havo gingerboer, &c., for loss than 6d. n, bottle.

Mr Hudson said that tho publio thought hotol-kcopers could got ginger beer and lemonado at a penny a bottle, but ho could assure thorn that 6d. was paid. Mr Kennedy was glad such unanimity oxisted between the hptol-keopors, and could say that if the price of a nobbier were reduced to sixpence, ho should tell his cook, his housemaid, his waiter, and Vub barmaid that he could not pay eaoh of them £4 a week, but must reduce the wageß to £2, and then tho barmaid could not buy so muoh crinoline, the waiter could not spend so muoh money, and so on with the rest, and of course this must injure the trado genorally. Mr Sheohan then moved and Mr Buzton seconded tho following resolution ,whioh was carried unanimously, "That in tho opinion of this meeting it is advisable that n Licensod Victuallers Association be formed, for the purpose of protecting the interests of those connected with the trade."

MrShcehan proposed "That cordial manufacturers who supplied any of the sixpenny houses should not b« p&tronieid by th« othtr Uot«Ik«»p»i'»."

Mr Melody said that the only firm in the tiade not present was Mace and Dixon, and Mr Mace had assured him that ho would not supply any house who sold nobblera at sixpence, at any price

Mr Staite pioposed, and Mr Kelly seconded, tho following resolution, " That the following gontleraen bo appointed a Provisional Committee for tho purpose of carrying out tho viowes of the meeting, Meessrs Kennedy, Sheelmn, Kelly, Fitzsiraons, Melody, Hinee, Hangen, Meynell and Moran." Carried unanimously. Mr Fitzsimona moved, and Mr Solomons seconded tho following resolution, which was carried unanimously — "That tho oo'mmittoe bo empowered to raise funds for tho purpose of defraying tho preliminary expenses." ' Mr Kennedy explained, as soveral of tho publio wore leaving at this tinio, that hotel* keepors only would subßoribo. He also said that a' mooting of tho committee would bo held soon, and then a report would bo given to hotel-keopors genorally. Mr Melody moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which *vns carried with cheeri. The meetinp then torminatcd.