CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8] — Page 434

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

423

Houses proper

that is to say houses which are not Hotels with

Publicans' Licences that their licences would not be renewed after the expiration of terus calculated on the number of years the sign boards of the Public Houses had been in existence in the Colony, and ranging from 1 to 5 years. The Board added that their object in passing the resolution was to take the first step to- -wards the reform of Public Houses in the Colony; and, if the Government was prepared to approve of the resolution being given effect to, the Board was prepared in due course to elaborate a scheme for putting the whole of the licences for Public Houses in the Colony into the hands of a Public Company to manage as a Commercial undertaking on the lines of the People's Refreshment House Association in England.

3.

The resolution was considered by the Executive Council on the 13th. of April and the Council recorded their advice on the subject in a minute, copy enclosed, which was com- -municated to the Board together with the opinion of the Crom Solicitor and Acting Attorney-General (r. F. A. Hazeland) copy

of which is attached. In reply the Board addressed a letter

dated the 17th. of lay (copy enclosed) in which for reasons stated they recommended that a uniform term of notice of years should

be given in each case. They asked at the same time that steps

might be taken to ascertain the marketable value of the business

of each licensee with a view to the possible acquisition of any of

the businesses by a Public House Trust or Association before the

expiration of the term of notice.

4.

on closure 200

Enclosure 4

5.

This latter question was referred to the

Colonial Treasurer, copy of whose report is enclosed. A list of

the Licence-holders concerned is also attached in which their

answers are summarised and particulars are added as to the length of time they have held licences. It is to be noticed that in no

case is the licensee the omer of the licensed preises.

J.

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