The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-28 00:00:00

THE NEW LICENSING ACT IN
OPERATION.

The adjourned meeting of the licensing magistrates
of Oxford was held on Monday morning. The Mayor
presided, and the court WllB densely cri wded. Petitions
were presented by the Rev. G. W. Kitchen, M.A.,
censor of unattached students in the University; by
Mr. Walsh, solicitor, on behalf of the licensed
victuallers ; by Mr. Galpin, councillor, from 3,416
persons, "representing the general public ;" by James
Simms, a member of the Order of Druids; by Mr.
Howson, of the Odd Fellows; by Mr. Summerford, a
leading member of the teetotal party, from the various
lodges of Good Templars ,• and lastly, by a represent-
ative of the Methodist body and Sunday-school
teachers. . .

The arguments employed by those who favoured the
prolongation of the time may be briefly summarized.
IV the enforcement of the Act as it stood the business
and social requirements of the citizens would be most
materially interfered witn. It was an unjust encroach-
ment on their rights and liberties to prevent their
buying a glass of beer after eleven o'clock. Moreover,
the closing of houses at this time would not effect
the object of the Legislature -namely, the dimi-
nution of intemperance. Despite prohibitory laws,
the people would have what they thought use-
ful, necessary, and agreeable. The break down
of the Maine Liquor Laws in America, the prevalence
of drunkenness in Scotland on Sundays, and, lastly,
the extensive consumption of opium in China, were
illustrations in point. The improvement in the moral
and physical condition of the people depended on
education, on the establishment of clean and cotufort-
able homes for the poor. These measures would do
more good than all the Permissive Bills and teetotal
meetings in the country. The Druids and the Odd
Fellows would be subjected to particular inconve-
nience.
The Mayor said that he and his brother magistrates
had resolved unanimously that the time of closing
should be half-past ten on week days and half-past
eleven on Sundays. The alteration, however, could not
legally take effect until a month hence.
Generally the compromise has given satisfaction.

On Monday the licensing authority for the city of
York assembled at the Guildhall for the purpose of
deciding whether any alteration should be made in the
hours of keeping open public-houses.
Mr. Wheelhouse, M.P. (barrister), was present with
the object, it was understood, of presenting a memorial
signed by about 250 of the inhabitants, including
brewers, innkeepers, and wine and spirit merchants,
who prayed that the licensing justices would be pleased
to fix the hours of opening and closing the hotels and
inns of York at the same hours as are defined for the
metropolis—viz., to extend the hours of closing on
Sundays to eleven at night, and on other days to ex.
tend the hours of opening from five in the morning to
twelve at night.
Mr. Smith, barrister, attended to present two me-
morials, one of which contained the names of 600 of the
inhabitants, headed by the Archbishop and the Dean
of York, and about 40 of the clergy and other ministers,
the other memorial being from the York lodges of the
Independent Order of Good Templars. Both these
memorials prayed that nnder no circumstances might
the hours fixed by the Act—from six a. in. to eleven p.m.
—be extended.

No opportunity VIM allowed, however, of presenting
the memorials, and after the magistrates had conferred
privately together for some time the Lord Mayor stated
that by a majority of one they had determined to make
no alteration in the hours mentioned in the Act. He
might etate that, personally, it was a result which he very
much regretted, as, according to his view, twelve o'clock
at night was a reasonable time for closing publichousi 5.
Mr. Fielden Thorp, who is a supporter of early
closing was about to make some remarks, when the
Mayor said the magistrates had unanimously decided
not to listen to any representations on the subject.

On Monday, the borough magistrates at Colches-
ter had under consideration two memorials on
the subject of the new Licensing Act. One,
promoted by hotel and innkeepers, urged that pub-
lichouses might open at five a.m. and close at twelve
midnight on week days. 'The other memorial, bearing
three or four times the number of signatures, bore testi-
mony to the good effects of the new law, and prayed
the magistrates not to extend the hours during which
public houses can be open. The mayor said the magis-
trates had well weighed the provisions of the new Act,
and had resolved not to allow an extension of the hour
for closing at night, but they would permit the opening
at five o'clock a.m. instead of six, as at present.