Notwithstanding any enactment to the contrary, it shall not be lawful for a petty sessional court to authorise the sale of intoxicating liquor on any licensed premises until the holding of the next special sessions for the licensing district in which the premises are situate, unless the person making the application has, one week at least before the holding of the court, served on the superintendent of police for the district the like notice as is required in the case of an application for the transfer of a licence.

Provided that in any case of urgency the aforesaid notice to the police may be dispensed with if, in the opinion of the court, such notice to the police has been given as is reasonable under the circumstances of the particular case.