Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 506

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In addition to publicans' licences and adjunct licences there are also grocers' licences. A grocer's licence is defined to mean "a licence to sell intoxicating liquors by the bottle, such liquors not to be consumed on the premises." How many are there of these?--About fifty.

The SECRETARY.--Forty-seven.

The MAGISTRATE.--These also are under your control as Head of the Police ?-- Yes.

They are forty-seven in number?--Yes.

There are no special conditions attached to them?-There are the provisions of the Ordinance.

Are these licences issued by the Colonial Secretary ?—Yes.

And the regulations for them are made by the Governor in Council ?—Yes.

There are no such regulations at present, are there ?—No special regulations.

Have you any remarks to make about grocers' licences ?-The liquor that they retail would have to be supervised in the same way as the publicans'.

Yes, but with your experience of them have you any remarks to make about them? -No.

Are they well conducted ?-Yes.

What is their business? What do they do? Do they merely sell intoxicating liquors?—They do a general grocery business as well.

And no liquors are consumed on the premises ?-No.

You have had no complaints with regard to those houses ?-No, I have had no complaints.

Then there are eating houses. Those also come under your control ?—Yes. They are sixteen in number ?—Yes.

And the licences are granted by the Colonial Secretary ?—Yes.

Have you any complaints to make about them?--No. Of course, they have to be looked after to see that they do not sell liquor. They are not licensed to sell liquor.

By retail ? Yes.

Have complaints been made to you that they do sell liquor?-The Police have found them selling liquor.

You have to rely upon the Police to obtain that information regarding them ?- Yes. Prosecutions take place occasionally.

Have they to find the same guarantee as to character and so on ?—No, there is no formal guarantee.

To whom do you report as to the character of the licence-to the Colonial Secretary ? Yes.

Mr. MCCALLUM.-Are the eating houses licensed ?-Yes. They must have a licence as eating houses.

They must be licensed before they open ?-Yes.

The CHAIRMAN.-Are they not allowed to retail liquor at all on the premises ?—No. Not unless they have a licence ?—Not unless they have a licence.