GISBORNE LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 14 March 1910, Page 7

GISBORNE LICENSING COMMITTEE.

QUARTERLY MEETING

The adjourned quarterly meeting of the Gisborne Licensing Committee was held at the Courthouse on Saturday. Present: Messrs W. A. Barton, S.M. (Chairman), A. Dewing, D. Hepburn, and McLeod. POLICE REPORTS. ' Sergt. Hutton, officer in charge of the Gisborne police district, reported: “I respectfully report that during the past quarter the hotels in this sub-dis-trict have been well conducted and no complaints have been made. I have inspected each of the hotels separately and found them clean and tidy, both within and without, and the up-keep all that could he desired. There lias been a considerable decrease in drunkenness this quarter when compared with the corresponding period of last year.” The Chairman: Oh, that is a very satisfactory state of affairs. Const. G. F. Bevan, of Wairoa, reported that 'negotiations were in operation for the. purchase of the Clyde hotel by Mr Gardiner. In addition ho reported that soveral persons had spoken to him about the bad table that it was alleged was kept at the Mohaka hotel, and he thought the licensee should make some effort to keep .a better one. He had noticed drunken men about the hotel, which showed want of care. Apparently anyone served in the bar, and he noticed Maoris_juid various’ persons helping themselves and others to drinks. He thought the house was run in a most slip-shod fashion .

Mr F. W. Nolan, who appeared on behalf of the licensee, contended that the allegations in the report were merely hearsay. He produced a- number of'testimonials from prominent people', to show that the hotel was excellently conducted. The Chairman said that the matter could not then dealt with, but if the report were substantiated, at the-an-nual meeting, the Committee would have to consider the question of refusing a renewal of the license. The following, transfers were granted : George Brown Oman, Wairoa hotel, to -John Dickson (Air F. W. Nolan) ; Andrew T-uohy, Royal Oak hotel, to Arthur Frederick Saunders (M, r F. V. Nolan).

The adjourned application of ‘Leonard Storey (Clyde hotel) for a renewal of license was again considered, Air F. W. Nolan stated that the cause of the trouble had been removed, and the application was granted. Leave of absence for one month from February 23 was granted to Reginald S. Caulton, Record Reign hotel. Leave of absence was also granted to F. Harris. Albion hotel.