The Licensing Poll.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 232, 24 November 1896, Page 3

The Licensing Poll.

The following extract from the Act of 1895 will be of interest, as showing the effect of the voting:—The Eeturning Officer shall count the votes, and reject all the informal votes, and shall ascertain and determine the result of the licensing poll in manner following:— (1.) If the Returning Offiicer finds—That the number of votes recorded in favor of the proposal that the number of licenses existing in the district ahull continue is an absolute majority of all the voters whose votes were recorded, —Then such proposal, unless superceded as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed to be carried, and he shall notify the Licensing Committee thereof, and the number of licenses shall continne as they are until the taking of the next licensing poll (2.) If the Returning Officer finds—That the number of votes recorded in favor of the proposal that the number of licenses existing in the district shall be reduced is an absolute majority of all the voters whose votes were recorded, —Then such proposal, unless superseded as hereinafter provided, shall deemed to be carried, and shall supersede the proposal for continuance of licenses, and he shall notify the Licensing Committee thereof, and the number of licenses shall be reduced. .... .(3.) If the Returning Officer finds—That the number of votes recorded in favor of the proposal that no licenses shall be granted in the district, is not less than three-fifths of all the voters whose votes were recorded, —Then such proposal shall be deemed to be carried, and shall supersede the proposals 'for reduction and for continuance of licenses, and he shall notify the Licensing Commitee thereof ; and thereafter no licenses of any description shall be granted therein until after another licensing poll hafs been taken. (4.) If the returning officer finds—That none of the proposals respecting licenses in the district is carried by the prescribed majority,—Then he shall notify the Licensing Committee thereof, and the number of licenses shall continue as they are until the taking of the next licensing poll, subject nevertheless to the power of refusing to renew licenses objected to under sub-sections one to four, inclusive of section eightyone of the prncipal Act, and subject also to the provisions of the Licensing Acts relating to forfeiture or increase of licenses.