Page:A colonial autocracy, New South Wales under Governor Macquarie, 1810-1821.djvu/133

 licensed for the last year; and desirous that you will reject in toto all those persons whose names are now transmitted in a list from the Governor, and who are ascertained to be unfit for or unworthy of such indulgence". On receipt of this letter Wentworth, who was at the time chairman of the Bench, wrote to Judge-Advocate Wylde proposing that on this occasion the latter should preside.

Wylde acted upon the suggestion and laid down for the assembled magistrates the principles of the English licensing laws. In spite of Wentworth's opposition they decided on putting these principles into practice, with the result "that the number of licenses was greatly reduced, some of the most respectable people did not obtain licenses, and those who had purchased liquor and built houses in expectation of having their licenses continued have suffered very great injury".

They inquired very thoroughly into the situations and trade of the parties, the accommodations and the local wants of the town of Sydney, and adopted the two licensing statutes 2 Geo. II., cap. 28, and 21 Geo. II., cap. 37 as their guiding lights. They declared very firmly that they would "exercise no further power as to granting licenses for the ensuing year after that day".

Some of the former licensees and some new applicants were apparently not fully aware of the new departure, and had not sent in their applications in time. The Governor had frequently given orders for the issue of licenses during the year, and they relied on this. Several of them, to the number of fifteen, presented their memorials to the Judge-Advocate, who simply quoted the law and refused to consider them. But with Macquarie they were more successful. On the 4th March he sent to the Bench orders directing that licenses be granted to four of the applicants. Unfortunately the Judge-Advocate was out of town. But there were license forms in blank signed by