WOODVILLE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3942, 8 March 1884, Page 3

WOODVILLE.

[bbom oub own coiuiespondent.] "To-morrow is licensing day," such is the cry throughout our quiet metropolis. To-morrow is the day for the election of candidates for tho Lieonsing Committee. Theoretically this would bo nothing out of tho way, and no cause for excitement, and not without reason. On the list of candidates, out of seven members, three are on tho strict teetotal ticket, two in favor of well conducted public-houses, one for moderation, and one altogether doubtful. If three of the "totals" get in I believe tho idea is to close up every hotel in the district. I can hardly credit it, but still I have heard so. If two of the " totals " and the doubtful occupy tho beuches, the result ■will be same. If the two get in who arc in favor of well conducted houses, and tho moderation man, the place will probably be better off under their management. As a matter of fact. I believe these last will bo elected but the poll does nqt close until to-morrow evening (Saturday). Tho bush fires have commenced in earnest. About half the land-owners have ni-ed their fallen bush, and about half remain still unbumt. If we have some few days moro fine weather tho burns will be satisfactory on the whole, although not to be compared with those of last year. I think there has been more bush falling done last season than in any other season for some time. Tho blocks of land to bo sold soon are not the ones which moat of us have been waiting to be thrown open for so long, although they are better than nothing. . The sheep yards have been erected by the Government, but as yet. no dip. Although they are a step in the right direction, wo are hardly satitfied with it, any moro' than the creditors of an estate would bo satisfied with a dividend of Id in the £1, •which would, however be a step in the right direction, all tho same. I am informed that the petition forms for suspending the Counties Act are completed, and that the work of getting signatures will shortly be commenced. Although WO do things pretty quietly in Woodville, wo do not neglect them, tie tinio will show. In fact, I think I am safe in saying that in three months' time every ratepaycrin Woodville riding will have signed the petition for county suspension.