The Ellesmere Guardian. SATURDAY, AY 2, 1891. AN AWKWARD HITCH.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 903, 2 May 1891, Page 2

The Ellesmere Guardian. SATURDAY, AY 2, 1891. AN AWKWARD HITCH.

It is to be f6sred thnt trouble is looming m the near future over the late elections for tbe Ellesmere Licensing District. Indeed, we see no otber result possible than the declaration of the election as void. The facts are, briefly, as follows For some years past, the Ellesmere Licensing District has acted with unusual and praiseworthy generosity towards the Southbridge Town District The expenses of all Licensing Committee elections have been borne by the former body without a murmur, and the Town Board has been permitted t° annex the revenue arising from the issue of licenses, wifchont a murmur. As might only reasonably be expected, fche Town Board did not object to this state of affairs. So long as the Board enjoyed the income — ninety pounds, per annum— so long might the Eljesmere district pay all tbe expenses, and wel~ come. So that when, some four months ago, the officious interfering folk m Wellington thought fit ta> write and inform the Town Board that it was absolutely necessary under the Licensing Act that the Town District shonld have a little Committee of its own, the mem bers decided that there was no immediate hurry. There wag another election corning on ; it might be just as well to let the Ellesmere district pay tbe expenses of this one, even if it were to be the very last. But wars and rumoura of wars were life m the air. When the nominations came out, it was found chat ainon >st the candidates were men who were pledged to close one of the hotels m Souchbridge. This did not please the civic fathers. They reasoned thus wise. Drunkenness is admittedly an evil. Closing both bouses might prevent it ; closing one assu redly will nob lessen the amount of drinking. Creating a monopoly, while not leasening the amount of drinking, will not tend to improve the quality of the liquor drunk. Either close both, or neither. Closing both means a considerable loss m revenue, and with extensive asphalting works m view, tbat would be disastrous. Therefore, it is best to Hose wither, Q .E.D.

Hating the remedy m the'r own bnnds, they resolved to u*e it, nnd so have determined fc> obey the Wellin^tau mpniJH'?; &n<J run n Oyinmiuee of their

one or both houses closed,' they tire to have an opportunity of saying 90, bat outsiders are not to be permitted jto de-. prive.the -bowh of a big -slice jof its: revenue at their own sweet; Will. ! And h>re comes 4ti7 iilttv^rouble. Amongst tbe candidates for the Elles mere district is the name of a gentleman "who was seconded by a ratepayer of the Town district without qualification m Ejlesmere district. I? the Town district is to be held as separate from the EUesmere district, it appears to us that this nomination ia void, and of necessity fatal to the legality of the election of the Committee. His election or non election is a matter of no importance to the issue. The votes recorded for him m'ght have, had he not been on the list mateiially altered the result. The nominator made the nomination m good faith, an • the returning officer accepted it, as he was bound to do. But pone the less, we apprehen /, it invalidates the election, and the Committee consequently h?s no power to do anything. The matter is unfortunate- The men; who honded the poll are, doubtless, admirably suited for their important duty, ami probably, will be returned to fulfil] that duty at a more legal election. Bat nevertheless, they are not yet lawfully qualified. . As to the action of the Town Boaid, opinion is divided. There cau be no doubt as to the advantages which will r esult from the town having full fldntrol of the licensed houses m its boundaries. The only wonder is that the Board did not recognize these advantages at an ; earlier date. The laissez aUler plan they have hitherto followed has much to recommend it 'doubtle/jg,- but from a business point of view it is not altogether admirable . And eco nomy can be carried to excess, as m ,tb , c present instance, where it has resnlf j6 d m the Ellesraere district being put to consi Jerable expense without the des , re d end of saving the Town Board's pocket being attained.