LICENSING MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 906, 2 June 1903, Page 3

LICENSING MATTERS.

I>y Tolo^niph—Preys Association. Palmerston North, last night. The annual meeting oi the Licensing Committee was held to-day. All licenses with LJ o’clock extensions were granted, except three hotels, the subject of a special report by trio police as to their unsuitability for business. Applications made on bc-bail of the Central and Clarendon Hotels were adjourned for two weeks pending investigation by the Committee as to the accuracy of the police details. An application in regard to the Provincial Hotel comes before the Committee this afternoon.

Camara, last night. Ali licenses were granted for II o clock in town and 10 o’clock in the country. Tiinaru, last night. At tno annual meeting of the Licensing Bench to day all licenses were renewed without protest. Tho licenses arc for 11 o'clock, outside lights to be kept burning tiil li.

NAPIER STILL UNDECIDED

By Telegraph—Press Association— Napier, lu,t night. Tiie Licensing Committee, after hearing evidence with regard to the accommodation provided at tho various hotels in the district, adjourned until Monday next, wfien they will decide what iioto.s are to he closed. Great interest was taken by the public in the proceedings.

WARM TIME FOR LICENSEES,

By Telegraph—Press Association, Dunedin, last night. The greatest interest was taken in tho licensing meeting, the Police Court being crowded. Shortly before tho appointed hour the elective members of the Committee occupied toe Bench, and, through Mr Cameron, read a prepared statement. Prom this it appeared that tho Committee, considering they have received a inundate from tho constituents, invited tho cooperation of tho trade in effecting certain reforms, the carrying out of which would be made a condition of granting licenses. Thcso included the abolition of second bars, providing efficient fire escapes, close attention to sanitary matters, abolition of barmaids, dis. ensing with counter lunches, which must in the futuro bo restricted to bread and cheese. This latter stipulation was received with laughter. Tho Committee also drew attention to tho relations between landlord and tenant. They Puttier iiunuatcii tiiat some applicants were undesirable, others failed to reside on tno premises, while others followed other employments. The Committee intended to leluso licenses in all such

casus. Mr Cnrcw afterwards assumed tnc chairmanship and tho business proceeded. Tno Committee decided to close nil houses at iu u clock. Tim following half-dosien licenses were refused up to tiie luncheon adjournment : Bailey's Otago, salutation, Wave-rley, Aniiaudiilo Anus, Pelichet Bay, and

Mornmgton iluteis. Later. —At the annual meeting of the Licensing Committee for tno City licenses were absolutely refused to the following seven hotels : Court’s Otago (kept by Bailey), Anutuidalo, Wuvorley, Salutation, Mornmgton, Peiichot Buy, and Shade’s. Seven licenses were granted unconditionally. Tiiirtoee. others were granted ou conditions as to lire escapes and sanitary improvements. Tho remaining To were adjourned for further consideration, and Irom these the.additional six to bo closed will bo selected. All bottle licenses and all wholesale licenses wore granted. Applications for eleven o’clock licenses were declined.

MR BISHOP’S DILEMMA,

By Tolograph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night. Mr 11. W. Bishop, S.M., acting as the Kaiapoi Licensing Committee, granted three licenses to day, two at Rangiora, and one at Kaiapoi. Trie othor eight applications for renewals were adjourned for a week. In most of theso the premises were reported to bo unsuitable. Mr Bishop said that ho must consider tho position. Although concerned that at next poll no lieenso might bo carried, ho could not see his way to bo too exacting. Decision would bo reserved till next Monday.