THE ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS SALE CONTROL ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11368, 8 September 1897, Page 2

THE ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS SALE CONTROL ACT.

A conference of representatives of local governing bodies in the Kaiapoi electorate was held at the Borough Council Chambers, Eangiora, yesterday afternoon, to consider the best means to bo adopted to' reduce the cost of administering the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, and other matters relating thereto. There were present —the Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr W. Don Ole day) and Councillor E. Feldwiclc, the Mayor of Eangiora (Mr C. I. Jennings) and Councillor E. E. Good, Mr G. Wallace (chairman of the Mandeville and Eangiora Eoad Board), Mr Bassett (chairman of the Oxford Eoad Board), and Mr W. Smith (representing the Eyreton Eoad Board). Mr E. Moore, M.H.E., was also present. The Mayor of Eangiora, convener of the meeting, presided. Those present were agreed in the opinion that if the local body having authority under the Act had control of the elections the coat of carrying them out could be much reduced; and, on the motion of Mr Good, seconded by Mr Doubleday, it was resolved—“ That this meeting requests Mr Moore, member for the district, to urge an amendment of the Act providing for the appointment of the retmming-officers and other officials in connection with the Licensing Committee elections, and all arrangements therewith, being made by the local body having authority under the Act/’ It was also resolved that a further amendment of the Act was desirable to provide for each local body collecting the license fees in its own district. The inconvenience and expense caused by the Licensing Committee quorum being so high was referred to, and it was resolved—“ That, in the opinion of this meeting, the quorum should be reduced.” A further motion, proposed by Mr Doubleday, was carried —“ That it is considered by this meetingjthat in Licensing Committee elections any candidates nominated short of the full number of five should be declared duly elected, and that the Governor should fill any vacancies left; this to be an amendment to tho clause of the Act providing that when the number nominated is short of that required to form a full committee, the election shall be declared void and the Governor shall then appoint the Eesi-

dent Magistrate to administer the Act.” Mr Moore expressed his concurrence with the pxotions passed by the meeting, and promised to do -Ms best to have them carried into effect. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Moore for his attendance, and also to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated.