Licensing Legislation.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 151, 8 July 1901, Page 1

Licensing Legislation.

There is naturally a keen look-out being kept for any sign of now licensing legislation. The Wairarapa Star, which claims to have special knowledge on the subject, forecasts that there will be an amending measure, which provides for taking a poll on the date of the next general election on the question of provincial option. The boundaries of provincial districts are to be the same as the old’provincial boundaries, and there will be nine districts in all. A three-fifths majority is retained, so far as the carrying of prohibition is concerned. The Bill provides for a referendum at the first poll to determine if subsequent polls shall be taken every throe or six years. A bare majority is "to decide this question. As for the Clutha district, this is not to be affected by the provincial option poll unless a three-fifths majority in the licensing distriot decide in favor of licenses. Licenses are not to bo granted in the King Country until after the report of the Royal Commission, which. is to enquire into the subject. Provision is made whereby licenses may bo granted by the Colonial Secretary in tourist districts other than tho King Country. A number of important miscellaneous amendments are also proposed. The hour for tho closing of hotels is fixed at half-past ten p.m. ; and magistrates are to be given discretion in the matter of endorsing licenses in case of a conviction. . Clubs are to be brought under the Act, so : far as the sale of liquor and inspection are concerned. It is further proposed in the Bill that club charters shall bo issued by licensing committees instead of by the Colonial Secretary 7.

Tho other day Mr John Winks, of Normanby, Taranaki, went into a paddock with one of his sons to take out some steers. They were rushed by a stallion kept in the paddock; the elder Winks was seized by the thigh, torn off his horse, and shaken by tho stallion until the son came to his rescue and drove the vicious bruto off. Mr Winks had to be sent to the Hawera Hospital to havo his injuries attended to.

“No meals obtainable to-day ; cook and waitress gone to see the Duke,” was tho intimation conveyed by means of a placard exhibited in the window of a city restaurant in Dunedin the other day. A Masterton boy, sixteen years of age, was last week at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court ordered to pay 7s a week towards the maintenance of his illegitimate child.

A woman in the Taranaki district, 78 years of age, has had a prohibition order issued against her. A pasteurising factory has been fitted with tho latest appliances to supply New Plymouth with pure milk for domestic use. Part of tho plan is to deliver milk in sealed bottles if tho customer prefers

A Norwich magistrate lately defined a bona fide traveller in a quite original way. The difference between a traveller and a bona fide traveller, ho said, was that the one was thirsty because he travelled, and the other travelled because he was thirsty. The command of the new auxiliaryscrew schooner for the Cook Islands having been given over to Mr Worsley, chief officer of the Hincmoa, MrWorsley’s place on the latter vessel will be filled by Mr Hardy, second mate of the Tutanekai, and Mr Carsin, third mate of the same boat, will go up to second mate’s berth. The death is announced at Waipu of Captain Angus Campbell, formerly a wellknown Auckland shipmaster. Lately he was captain of a Melbourne steamer, but being taken seriously ill with an affection of the lungs lie oame across to his old home at Waipu and died there. In order to encourage Russian trade in

the Persian Gulf ports, offers are made to carry Russian merchandise freight free, and to guarantee the consignees against loss up to 20 per cent, of the value of the goods.

A comprehensive schenio for the rcoi'ganisation of the Auckland Fire Brigade has been adopted by the City Council. It will cost upwards of 1112,000, and ihe annual cost for maintenance will be some .£2BOO. A new fire brigade station and two steam fire engines are included in the scheme.

Just as the ofidcnce in the Eyreton murder case concluded a stir was noticed in the vicinity of the prisoner’s box, a member of the public, said to be a relative of the murdered people, having made a threatening move towards the prisoner. He looked as if he had something in his hand, and as if he intended striking the prisoner. Detective Fitzgerald and Constable Joyce immediately got hold of him, and with some difficulty got him out cf the Court. During the enactment of this scene, which took only a few minutes and was all done quietly, the accused maintained the same stolid expression that he had had on his face during the whole of the proceedings. The Northern Luminary says : —Many will remember a smart young Whangarei “ boy,” known as Johnny Wilson, starting as a* solicitor at Kaeo some years ago. Now be has just been made a lieutenant of the Commander-in-Chief’s bodyguard in South Africa. Going to Queensland at the beginning of the gold boom, he made several successful coups, amassed a fortune, and became the first Mayor of Kalgoorlie, being that year the youngest Mayor in the world. On the declaration of war Mr Wilson joined the Light Horse as a trooper, and after being invalided twice, has received his present appointment.

A hearty laugh was caused in Christ_ church on the arrival of a volunteer com t pany which hailed from this coast. I took five men to carry one officer’s lug' gage, which included a wire mattress, and as the corps marched to the camping ground a small boy called out, “ I say, have you brought the family, too.” The Teachers’ Salaries Commission will probably have their report ready for Parliament within a fortnight.

The Referendum Bill, introduced by the Premier, enables any Bill rejected by either House to be submitted to a vote of the electors. Any legislative proposal may be so submitted to the vote if a resolution to that effect is passed by both Houses.

Who wouldn’t be a brainless fool, With heaps of glist’ning gold, Than some poor scholar fresh from school, Thrust homeless on the world ? Who wouldn’t rather lose his wealth, Than coughs and colds endure? Then be content, enjoy good health, Take Woods' Grew Pepeejisost Cube.