WESTLAND LICENSING

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 February 1947, Page 4

WESTLAND LICENSING

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE NEXT MONTH PROVISIONS OF THE ACT An election for the Westland Licensing Committee will be held on March 11, and nominations will close on February 25. The present members of the committee are Messrs. J. E. Stokes' (Cobden), T. Chesterman (Kanieri), A. H. Lawn (Hokitika), F. L. Turley (Greymouth), and M. Houston (Hokitika). At the previous election, held in 1944, there were six candidates for the five positions, the unsuccessful candidate being Mr. J. B. Kent, of Greymouth, a sitting member. This was the first contested Licensing Committee election Westland for over 20 years. Little interest is usually taken in these elections, and at the 1944 poll only 844 votes were recorded. The rolls used for the recent Parliamentary election are those to be used for the election of the Licensing Committee, and each elector whose name appears on the roll is entitled to vote. Electors who enrolled after the rolls were printed may vote by declaration. The district for the election to be held on March 11 is the present electoral district, which includes portion of the old Buller district.

The provisions of the Licensing Act applicable to a national licensing poll also apply to licensing committee elections. One of the provisions is that the day on which a poll is taken in any district shall be deemed to be a public holiday after midday within such district and the halfholiday is deemed to be a holiday within the meaning of the statutes referring to public holidays. Between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. it is unlawful, to sell intoxicating liquors in any licensed premises within the district. These provisions apply only if an election is contested.