Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 605

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After receiving this statement from Mr. Schwalm, the Justices adjourned the further consideration of the application until noon on Friday, the 7th instant, for further enquiries into the character of the applicant and the bona fides of his application.

On the 4th instant the man Schwalm was brought before me in the Police. Court, charged with obtaining the sum of $500 by false pretences from one Chiu Hing.

The German Consul was called as a witness in the case, and I attach herewith a copy of his evidence given ou oath (marked B).

At the adjourned meeting of the Justices on the 7th instant a report from Police Sergeant Scott to the Captain Superintendent of Police was read (copy attached marked C).

Upon hearing this report and the evidence of the German Consul, the Justices unanimously refused to grant the application, and after some remarks by the Chairman which are reported in the local press and forwarded herewith (marked D) it was moved by Mr. Granville Sharp, J.P., and seconded by

Mr. G. Murray Bain, J.P.—

"That the Justices in meeting request the Magistrate to allow the opinions he has expressed upon the inadequacy of the present arrangements to secure adequate knowledge of the "character of applicants for licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors to be placed before "the Government with a view to ridding the Colony of such people as we have had experi- “ ence of within the past week or two, and of obtaining some more effective guarantee that

applicants are of good character and standing."

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This proposition being put to the meeting was carried unanimously and in accordance therewith I now have the honour to transmit the same.

The Honourable

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

H. E. WODEHOUSE,

Police Magistrale.

(Enclosures.)

Tuesday, 28th December, 1897.

THE GRAND HOTEL LICENCE.

CONSIDERATION POSTPONED.

A.

A special session of H.M. Justices of the Peace was held to-day in the Justices' Room, at the Ma- gistracy. Mr. H. E. Wodehouse, Police Magistrate, presided. The Justices present were:-Dr. Hartigau, Messrs. G. Murray Bain, Harry Wicking, W. M. B. Arthur and Rev. R. F. Cobbold.

The meeting was convened to consider an application from one G. H. Schwalm for a Publican's licence to sell and retail intoxicating liquors on the premises situate at Nos. 240, 242, and 244, Queen's Road Central, under the sigu of "The Central Hotel." These premises were formerly known as "The Grand Hotel."

Mr. G. C. C. Master appeared for the applicant.

Mr. Wodehouse read the application, from which it appeared the applicant had never held a licence before. The Police report, which was signed by Deputy Superintendent T. A. Howe, was as follows: “The applicant is absolutely a man of straw, and merely a blind put forward by Hock Goon and his wife. Au agreement has been entered into between these parties to the effect that Mr. Hock

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