THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10309, 30 March 1894, Page 5

THE LICENSING ELECTIONS.

DISSATISFACTION IN WELLINGTON. [Per Press Association, I AUCKLAND, March 29. For the Franklyn electorate the following Licensing Committee baa been elected: —Messrs A. K. Harris, J. Atkinson, J. H. Wright, T. J. Willis, W. Flavell, A. W. Manning, John Smith and James Gallagher. The Waiuku Band of Hope candidate, Mr Samuel Hodge, was defeated by six votes. For the Waipa electorate the Licensing Committee elected isMessrs Thomas Davis, George Edgecombe, Scotb Hunter, John Hutchinson, Duncan M’Lennan, B. F. Sandes, E. V. Smith and C. J. Storey. WELLINGTON, March 29. A meeting of electors was held last night to ventilate grievances in connection with the recent licensing election for the city. The following resolutions were carried : —(1) “ That this meeting ia of opinion that the state of the electoral laws and their administration, as revealed at the recent licensing poll in Wellington and many other parts o? the colony, constitute a public scandal and requires the immediate attention of Government; and it calls upon the members for the city and suburbs of Wellington to represent the matter to the proper authorities without delay.” (2) “ That the gross irregularities tolerated at various polling booths ia the recent licensing elections in tho city of Wellington, and tho attempt in many cases to keep back tho more important of the two ballot papers from electors call for the immediate attention of the Returning Officers and the Government.” With reference to the allegation that only one paper was given to voters ia many instances, the roturning-officer says that it only took place at one booth, where sixty-eight people received one paper only. The deputy acted on the section of the Electoral Act which requires voters to demand a paper. There were 1320 informal votes on the local option poll. DUNEDIN, March 29. It is rumoured that an attempt will be made to upset the recent licensing election and local option poll on technical grounds. The Waikouaiti local option ia void, the returning - officer, under legal advice, excluding informal votes, which, if included, would make the poll effective, in case prohibition would have been carried. The Wakatipu local option poll ia in favour of existing licensee.