LIQUOR IN MAORI DISTRICTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7814, 5 June 1909, Page 4

LIQUOR IN MAORI DISTRICTS.

SIX LICENSES GRANTED.

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 4. Some little time ago, m defending a man at Waitara charged with traffic m liquor m a prohibited area m the King Country, Mr Quilliam, of New Plymouth, advanced the argument that certain portions of the King Country alleged to be Native land, and as such prohibited areas m regard to the liquor traffic, were not Native land at all, having been made Crown lands by a later proclamation. The Magistrate upheld the contention, and as a result the Taumarunui Licensing Committee, at its annual meeting at Waitara today, dealt with eleven applications for wholesale licenses m the district hitherto prohibited. Of these, one w^s from Raetihi, three were from Ohakune, four from Rangataua, one from Waitara, and one each from Mowau and Awakino, the two later being for renewals of licenses issued after the marnsterial decision was given. Counsel were present from New Plymouth, Havvera, Palmerston and Raetihi. Memorials m opposition to licenses, largely signed by both Maoris and Europeans, were presented. The hearing lasted till late m the evening, and it was Ciecided to grant four''applications, those of T. P. Leonard (Raetihi), J. Cody (Ohakune), Loftus Boyd (Rangataua) and H. M. Lund (Waitara). The two renewals mentioned were also granted, together with the usual hotel licenses m other portions of the electorate. .