45Inspection of premises before first registration
(1)Where a club applies for the issue of a registration certificate in respect of any premises, an officer of the local authority authorised in writing by that authority may, on giving not less than forty-eight hours' notice to the person signing the application and, if the premises are not occupied by the club, to the occupier, and on production of his authority, enter and inspect the premises at any reasonable time on such day, not more than fourteen days after the making of the application, as may be specified in the notice; and a constable authorised in writing by the chief officer of police shall have the like right to enter and inspect the premises, but a chief officer of police shall not so authorise a constable unless in his opinion special reasons exist making it necessary that the premises should be inspected for the proper discharge of his functions in relation to the registration of clubs.
(2)Any person obstructing a constable or officer of a local authority in the exercise of the power conferred by this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds.
(3)If on an application by the chief officer of police or by the local authority it is made to appear to a magistrates' court that, after reasonable steps had been taken by and on behalf of the applicant to inspect the premises in good time under subsection (1) of this section, it was not possible to do so within the time allowed, the court may extend the time allowed.
(4)Where a club applies for the renewal of a registration certificate in respect of different, additional or enlarged premises, the foregoing subsections shall have effect as if the application were, so far as relates to those premises, an application for the issue of a registration certificate.