GRANTING A LICENSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 987, 5 September 1903, Page 2

GRANTING A LICENSE.

I PECULIAR POINT AT INVERCARGILL. By Telegraph —Press Association. 1 Invercargill, last night. The Invercargill Licensing Committee this afternoon by a majority provisionally 1 granted a license for the White Swan Hotel, closed under the reduction vote, to Mrs Bond, whoso present house, the Crescent, has been acquired for offices. It was impossible to grant a transfer, because, although practically in the same street, the two houses were a f6W yards over a quarter of a mile apart. The method of procedure was that Mr Blackbam eilicensee of the White SwaD, applied for a license for the Crescent, and Mrs Bond for a transfer of Blackham’s license for the Crescent to the White Swan. In announcing the decision Mr McCarthy, S.M., Chairman, said that “ through causes over which Mrs Bond has no control she has been compelled to relinquish possession of the premises, and we have considered the position of Blackbam. The Committee, when reducing the houses, anxiously discussed the matter, and it was only j because the house having been endorsed must perforce be reduced. The majority are of opinion that under these circumstances, to take advantage of tho position forced upon Mrs Bond would be an unrighteous abuse of power, and have therefore determined that if Bond abandons the license which she holds wo will grant the application of Blackbam in respect of the Whits Swan, subject to certain conditions. These conditions are: Subject to their being carried out and Mrs Bond abandoning tbe license the application will be granted, and in the meantime will be adjourned until the 25th instant. Some doubts are expressed as to tbe legality of the committee’s action. |