NEWTOWN LICENSING POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 92, 16 April 1903, Page 3

NEWTOWN LICENSING POLL.

♦ J DBPOTATION TO THE PBBHIbB. j Per Brass Association. Wellington, April 15. A deputation representing the Newtown Patriotic League waited on the Premier last evening to ask tVat a further vote of the people of that district be taken on the local option question, in order that their wishes might be given effect to. fiie Premier, in reply, said he bad S* ced the matter b&foretha SolicitorneraJ. There were two qut stions—that of taking a new poll, and the possible action of the Licenting Committee in refusing to ;rant licenses. The Grown law officer had advised that licenses could be granted, and that the district cow reverted to the position ia which it stcod before the original pall, which was declared void, was taken. Then as to taking a fresh poll; under section 52 of the Licensing Act of 1881 the opinion given was that while in case of a mischance and misadventura the Governor in Council might authorise a new poll, in the prosent case the ~ poll had been duly taken and had been declared void on the ground of ceitain irregularities which did not constitute mischance or misadventure «ithio the meaning of the Act, but formed a breach of the provisions of the Act Further, there was no statutoty machinery for taking a second poll. The plain intention of the legislature was that if none of the proposals were carried the Committee was to be rotified, and licenses must continue as tbev were. The plain result of voiding is that none of the proposals bave been

carried. The Premier then read two other legal opinions (upon the point * fr< quently raised of late—that prohibition must fol'ow in the event of a poll being declared void. Both opiuiots were *o the effect that tbe<e was co'hicp in this contention.