Van der Meel, re [2003] NZLLA 248 (16 April 2003)

New Zealand Liquor Licensing Authority

[Index] [Search] [Download] [Help]

---

Van der Meel, re [2003] NZLLA 248 (16 April 2003)

Last Updated: 6 March 2010

Decision No. PH 248/2003

IN THE MATTER of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989

AND

IN THE MATTER of an application by AMIE VAN DER MEEL pursuant to s.118 of the Act for a General Manager’s Certificate

BEFORE THE LIQUOR LICENSING AUTHORITY

Chairman: District Court Judge E W Unwin
Member: Mr J C Crookston

HEARING at WELLINGTON on 4 April 2003

APPEARANCES

Miss A Van Der Meel - applicant
Mr R S Putze – Wellington District Licensing Agency Inspector – in opposition

ORAL DECISION OF THE AUTHORITY

[1] This is an application by Amie Van Der Meel for a General Manager’s Certificate.

[2] Miss Van Der Meel satisfies most of the criteria set out in s.121 of the Act. Although she will be 19 next month, she has worked for close on 18 months in licensed premises. These premises are known as ‘K Kebab’ which is a licensed café in Manners Mall.

[3] The premises are described by the District Licensing Agency Inspector as busy premises. Miss Van Der Meel has produced two references in which she has been described as honest, hardworking, reliable and trustworthy. The references corroborate the impression which Miss Van Der Meel has given at the hearing.

[4] When the application came before the Agency, the Inspector was concerned about Miss Van Der Meel’s age and maturity. He found that she had a good knowledge of the Act. In accordance with the decision of Amy Louise Sharrock, LLA PH 9/2002, his concern was that applications from younger applicants, who could then have the unsupervised or sole responsibility of running any licensed premises, required closer scrutiny.

[5] The applicant has satisfied us on the question of her maturity and suitability, that she would be an asset to the hospitality industry.

[6] Miss Van Der Meel has not worked in the hospitality industry since last December. She is currently working in an unrelated vocation. However, she stated she is very keen to continue in the industry, and would like to have that opportunity.

[7] Because there has been no recent employment in the hospitality industry, our intention is to adjourn these proceedings for six months. This will enable Miss Van Der Meel to obtain employment in the industry, (if she is able to do so), and to work as a duty manager from time to time pursuant to s.128 of the Act, and finally, to obtain the support of another employer.

[8] If she is able to achieve those goals, then we propose to grant the application on the papers. In our view, Miss Van Der Meel should be employable on the basis that it is expected that a General Manager’s Certificate will be issued once employment in the industry has been confirmed.

[9] The application is adjourned for six months, and may be brought back before us if necessary depending on the report received from the Inspector.

DATED at WELLINGTON this 16th day of April 2003

Judge E W Unwin Mr J C Crookston
Chairman Member

Van Der Meel.doc (md)