MR HOGG, M.H.R., AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5217, 31 December 1895, Page 3

MR HOGG, M.H.R., AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE.

In reply to the telegram which lie received oii Saturday Jtf Hogg, M.H.R,, addressed the following letter to tho Chairman of the Licensing Conimitteo Mastcrton, Dec, 28, 1895, Deis Siß|-I am afraid that you fail to appreciate tho significance of the attitudo, which, as Chairman of the licensing Commitleo for this district, you have assumed in refusing to sign the ncccssary.permit for tljc publican's booth at tho Caledonian Sports, Had I known that you wero in Wellington I should Lave written to you before this, but I was informed tlmt you had gone to tho East Coast, and wcreconsequently beyond the reach of a daily mail or communication by wire. Yon

state that your refusal has been based upon enquiry and adverse reports. On tlio other hand tlio Secretary of the Caledonian Society points out that tho Society was not consulted or warned, although tlio privilego elf ccts its revenue and has been enjoyed unquestioned foT tho last twenty years. As far as lam awaro the Licensing Comuiitteo hare not been consulted, and whatever your opinion may bo with roferenco to what yott term "popular clamour," I should think that on expression of opinion might have been obtained from the body over which you presido beforo tho extreme step of discontinuing a privilego ciijoycd by the Society for so many years was taken. Tho Secretary i (Mr Sellar) assures mo that the Society (received no intimation of the course which you intended to pursuo; henco they had no opportunity of defending their privileges against the adverse reports to which you refer. As it happens, tlio society has been allowed to advertise the sale of one of its principal privileges, tlio privilego in question has been sold by auction, and now at tho last moment, and iu a nmnncr which with all duo respect to your office, I cannot help designating arbitrary, their action is vetoed and tliey are subjected to a loss of part of the revenue uyon which their programme is based. What I submit is: that unless the privilege in question has been abused, and tliero exist urgent reasons for discontinuing it, tlio permit should k issued. The Caledonian Society, as a public institution, enjoys a right which I tliinlt should not be confiscated unless in an open aud above-board manner, As member for the district I liavo no hesitation in expressing tho opinion that iu this instance you are administering tho Licensing Law in a mauner that was never contemplated by tlio Legislature, and iu a way which any community that lias any due regard for its rights aud privileges, will hardly tolerate without the strongest protest. I have no wish to influence you, but I consider it my duty, however unpleasant it may be, to protest against your action, for the following reasons (1). The course taken, of malting this permit contingent upon the result of enquiries instituted by tho Chairman of the Licensing Committee, without- the knowledge or authority of the other members, is unusual, if not unprecca dented. |

(2). Adverse reports should not lwve been considered, without the Corporate body which is chiefly concerned, being afforded the opportunity of defending itself.

_ (3). The refusal is obviously a reflection on the Management of the Sports which, to my personal knowledge, have invariably been well-conducted. (4). No circumstances have arisen to warrant a refusal which would not equally have justified a refusal on previous occasions.

(5). The granting of a permit to the same privilege-holder at the recent Agricultural Show at Carterton, notwithstanding the fact that a public house is within a chain or so of the gates, disposes of any objection to the applicant or the situation, Yours, &c,, A. W. Hooo. T. Hutchison, Esq., S.M.

This morning Mr W, Sellar, the Society's secretary, waited on Mr Hutchison. Ho then learnt that Sergeant McArillo declined to modify his report. Mr Sellar stated his case in the presence of Sergt. McArdle, but the Sergeant remained obdurato and the deputation liavint* made no headway withdrew. The assistanceof those worthy Caledonians—Mr Geo. Heron, the Mayor of Masterton, nnd Mr A, W. Hogg was invoked, and their united appeal to Sergeant's finer feelings induced him to put on his coat with the remark—" Be Gob, I'll see him and put it right,"

But on this occasion Mr Hutchison was not taking any Caledonian permit, and to the consternation of the Sergeant and Mr Hogg who accompanied him, the S.M, declined to receive them, handing the following letter out for Mr Sollar : " W. Seiuh, Esq, See, Caledonian Society,

i Sir,—l hare considered anew in the light of your statements the question of granting this permit, and I regret I cannot see my way to alter my decision. T. Hutchison, S.M.

This settled IhomaUcr-at auyrate \ as far asMr Hutchison is concerned, but a final move yet remains and three membersof tlieLiconsing Committee aro willing to grant a permit if the publican interested (Mr E. J. Searl) is propared to accept tho responsibility, so his answer is awaited with interest.

As Mr Searl is a man of enterprise the chances aro that he will take a risk, open his booth, and do a big business.