Island

Hotel For Norfolk

To Stimulate Tourist Traffic

Liquor System Criticised

PLANS are afoot for the establishment of a first-class residential hotel on Norfolk Island.

An application for a liquor license was refused some two years ago, but a petition has been now signed by many of the Islanders, asking that such license be granted. The petition is being forwarded to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr. Blakeley) for his consideration.

Should this request be granted and an hotel to cater from 70 to 80 guests be built, a new era of prosperity may dawn on N.I., as it is certain that valuable tourist traffic will follow, and land values rise.

A natural result also should be a better steamer service, not only with Australia, but probably with New Zealand, thus providing more extensive markets for Norfolk Island produce.

Liquor By Permit

The existing liquor laws of the Island have been the subject of adverse criticism. At present a permit for liquor is only granted to a resident if he is considered a “fit and proper person” by the Government Medical Officer, and this permit allows him one bottle of spirits or six bottles of beer a fortnight.

Only twice a week is the liquor distributed by the Clerk of Court. People due for their ration then line up, and as many as 60 residents have been in the queue.

An undesirable feature, according to a recently-returned traveller, is that non-drinkers, who are also granted permits on application, obtain their rations, and have no trouble in re-selling the liquor at a handy profit.

It is estimated that last year £1,500 worth of spirituous liquor was imported into Norfolk Island. ———