CLUB CHARTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1684, 27 February 1906, Page 2

CLUB CHARTERS.

Per Pr»ss Association. Wellington, last night, A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waitod on tho acting Colonial Secretary this morning. Complaint was made of tho granting of club charters at Feilding, Masterton, and Hastings, in each of which places there had been a majority vote at tho recent election in favor of nolicense. Complaint was also made of the iuaocurocy of the local optiou returns as published by the Government. The Rsv. F. W. Isitt also alleged that one returning officer had offered a scrutineer £3O to connive at certain dishonest practices. It war impossible to got corroborative evidence of this, but he quoted tbe case to the Minister to show the need of exeroising care in appointing roturning offioers. The Minister (Colonel Pit!) in reply, said the Charters were only granted after careful consideration, and a Dumber bad been refused. A» to the allegation that oertain patent mediemes contained 30 to 5Q per cent of alcohol, be would draw tbe alient on of tho Customs Department to them. He admitted tbat the local option returns published in tbs gazette wore somewhat misleading, and promised to consult the-— - chief electoral officer. Ho could do nothing regarding anonymous allegations against, a returning officer, and assured the deput-it on tbat great care was exercised in making appointmontp, Mr Isitt said he thought the person making the alligation would make a writton statement.