LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 6

LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Ab the Kaiapoi (Canterbury) licensing election four moderates and one prohibitionist were returned.

The Kaiwarra (Wellington) licensing election resulted in a win" for the moderate party, and the local option poll favoured an increase in publicans' licenses.

Afc the Timaru licensing elections the moderate party put in their candidates by an aggregate ot 873 to 528 votes. The local option, poll was strongly against any increase.

The Masterton Licensing Committee election resulted in the return of four prohibitionists and one moderate. The poll wae declared amidst great excitement. It is expected that most of the hotels in the town will be closed.

A poll for the election of a Newmarket Licensing Committee was held on June 2, with the following result: —William Morgan, 71; William Edgerley, 60; R. R. Holmes, 58 ; J. Lumpkin, 57 ; J. H. Carpenter, 56; J. Stone, 55; VV. W. Whyman,33. The first five were declared duly elected. The local option poll, taken at the same time, resulted : For an increase of publicans' licenses, 12 ; against, 68; for an increase of New Zealand wine licenses, 26 ; against, 50.

The petition for an inquiry into the validity of the election of the Oamaru Licensing Committee wae heard before the Resident Magistrate on May 22nd. On the first petition the following points were raised : —That the nominationss of the candidates were not given within the time required ; that the nominations were not given in the manner required ; and that the candidates were not capable of holding the offices to which they had been elected. Evidence was given, and the points were argued by Mr Newton, counsel for the petitioner, and Mr Adams for the defence. The magistrate dismissed the petition. The second petition was to the effect that the election was not held by a properly qualified and appointed returning officer. At one time Oamaru was divided into four licensing districts, and a returning officer was appointed ; but some years ago these were amalgamated under a different title, and the same returning officer continued to act, bub with the previous appointment only. The petition was argued afc considerable length, and the magistrate declared the election void, and a new election will take place.

A prohibition league has been formed at Timaru to educate public opinion in view of the next election. A Committee has been appointed, and the Rev. W. Gillies chosen as President.