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enumerated in the Board's letter of the 17th. of September, 1910, have closed owing to the imposition of import duties on alcoholic liquor, the maintenance of the scale of licence fees in force prior to the imposition of such duties, and the competition of Neval and Military Canteens and of Clubs, which prevents them, as they allege, from raising their prices. Among the number is one of the Hotels in respect of which the Licensing Board had suggested withdrawal of notice of non-renewal of licences. The houses
remaining open are the following:- The Imperial Hotel, New Travel-
-lers Hotel, Globe Hotel, and Criterion. The licensees of these
houses recently petitioned the Goverment either for cancellation
of their licences and payment of compensation or for withdrawal of
notice of the 10th. October, 1910, and of the letter of the 27th.
February, 1911, on the ground that while the notice and letter
stand they are unable to sell their goodwill. They allege that owing to the competition above indicated and to the high licence
fees they pay in addition to import duties they cannot make their businesses pay.
The Licensing Board considered this Petition
and has declined to support it. I have informed the Petitioners
that after consulting the Licensing Board I am unable to accede
to the Petition.
The closing of these seven Public Houses
managed as they were by an undesirable class of men and situated
in the native portion of the City, is a decided improvement which
must conduce to the welfare of soldiere end sailors of His
of Lajesty's Forces and others also.
10.
I now desire your instructions as to whether you approve of the payment of compensation sugested by the Licensing Board in their letter of 30th. December, 1910, being paid to the licensees of these 4 houses in the event of the non- -renewal of their licences in 1910. I attach a statement showing, how long the houses concerned have been in existence, and the changes in bile holders of licences for them and in the premises in,
which the business of each house hes been conducted.
It