THE LICENSING POLL.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 13 December 1902, Page 2

THE LICENSING POLL.

Telegraph. Press Association Oopynpht Welungton, December 12. The Premier has received telegrams from Messrs T. E.Taylor, Jas. Allen, H. D. Bedford, and Thos. Me Kenzie, M.sH.B. pointing bnt in connection with the petitions being lodged in the South to upset, the licensing polls, that the Returning Officers have no funds out of which to pay counsel, and it is doubtful if i any other party can oppose the petition. They suggest that the Grown should instruct counsel to appear for these officers. The Premier has replied that these representations have been referred to the Colonial Secretary for consideration, but the Premier's memory is that the Legislature provided for all expenses respecting licensing questions being defrayed by the local authorities. The Returning Officers being statutory officers, interference by the Government unsolicited by them, but asked for by interested parties on either side, would from ft dangerous precedent. Dunedin, December 12. A petition has now been lodged asking that the local option poll for the Waikouaiti electorate, where reduction was carried, should be declared void on account of alleged irregularities. Major Eeddell, S.M., will hold the enquiry. Mr Carew, S.M.-, will to-morrow make an announcement concerning the Chalmers local option poll. Nothing has been heard of the mi3sing papers. This Day. The Broad Bay voting papers being still missing, the Magistrate, f Mr Carew, rules that a recount of the Chalmers . Local Option poll ia ' ixajtossiblß, ' . ■ Ghbistchukck, December 12. At the no-license re-union in lha Canterbury Hall this evening, MrF. W. Isitt said that at the next election he would not be found standing for ten electorates as at the recent elec« tion. If the conditions connected with the taking of the licensing poll were not changed there would be 10, 15, or 20 candidates, including himself and his brother, who would come forward and fight the elections with a determination to win.