Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1872.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1453, 12 October 1872, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1872.

Our evening contemporary of last Slight replies 0 n one point raised by us in our article of the previous evening—the point relating io wholesale spirit license Our remarks so evidently applied to last session's proceedings that po one could suppose us to refer to the act of 1871 which imposed the tax; yet because we did not give the unwieldy title of last session'si" bill in full (*»The "Wholesale Dealers in BpirituousLiquors Licencing Ace Amendment Bill, 1872 ") the Telegraph feigns to suppose not to liljude to the origiuaj sll of 1871, to

which our remarks could have no possible application,—and accuses us of descending to "depths of falsehood." It i* just about four momhs since Mr Sutton gave notice in the Council that he would introduce a bill to amend the " Wholesale Spirit License Act, 1871." The bill was introduced, and passed its first reading on the Bth June, and the second reading was ordered for the 11th, the usual order for printing being, at Mr Sutton's desire, dispensed wifh, On the day fixed for the second reading he moved a resolution authorizing the Provincial Treasurer " to issue licences to persons already licenced, upon payment to him of such fractional part of £lO as may be duo from the expiring of the present licences to December 31, 1872." The resolution was carried almost without discussion; the only voice raised against it was lhat of Mr Colenso, who objected to it as unjust. The principle of the thing was quite new. In the case of the dog tax, auctioneers* licences, &c.,no allowance was made when a licence was taken out during the course of the year. The full rate was always charged." We may add the true object of the resolution was ingeniously veiled, the preamble merely setting forth " Whereas it is expedient that licences issued under the authority of the Wholesale Spirits License Act, 1871, should terminate on 31st December in each year" —the real effect being to substitute for the holders of such licences a fractional fee of £3 Is 4d for the full annual fee of ,£lO. The bill was read a second time the same evening and passed through committee, Mr Colenso again urged his previous objection—that there was no precedent fur an annual tax being thus divided, and that the bill granted to wholesale dealers in liquor a privilege winch was not extended to any other class of taxpayers. Mr Suthou, in the most generous manner, pointed out that his bill diu not apply to those who might iu future take out wholesale licences, but only to the original holders; the Act of 1871 having been passed ?o late in the year that it was unjust to such holders to make them pay a full year's rate. This explanation proved quite satisfactory to the members (except Mr Colenso), and the bill was read a third time and passed on the 13th June. The bill has since received Ins Excellency's assent, and if our contemporary refers to the Herald ftle for the present he will find an official announcement to the effect that holders of wholesale li censes can have their licence extended to the 31st December on the payment of the fractional sum already mentioned We have shown that our comments were justified by facts, most of which are no doubt still in the memory of our readers, and which our contemporary can probably verify by reference to the files of his own journal. Mails for the Thames and Auckland, per s.s. Star of the South, close at the Port Ahuriri Post Office at 1.30 p.m. on Monday next. The nomination of candidates for the election of a member of the Provincial Council for the district of Napier Town took place at noon to-day, at the Resident Magistrate's Court-house, Singleton Rochfort, Esq., pre.iding. The writ and election notice having beeu read, Mr G. H. Swan proposed, and Mr S. Carnell seconded, Thomas Kennedy Newton, Esq , as a fit and proper person to represent the district. Mr R. Williams proposed, and MY S. Newbould seconded, William Culenso, Esq. Mr. M. Mullaney proposed, and Mr J. J. Prjtchard seconded, George liTenry Swan, Esq. The meeting then adjourned to the Council Chamber, where the proposer*, seconders, and candidates delivered their addresses. Mr Newton replied in detail to certain statements and opinions expressed by one of his opponents in a letter lately published in the Herald. He remarked that if the town members represented themselves instead of their constituents it was to a great extent the fault of the electors themselves, for failing to make known their views, which would always receive consideration.—Mr Colenso said he had no jutention to answer the old charges once more brought against him, and he challenged his opponents to prove them. He explained the circumstances which had Jed him to accept the office of Inspect or of Schools,

—Mr Swan, while deeply sensible of tlie honor conferred upon him by his nomination, respectfully declined to stand as a candidate, being dosirous of the return of a better man—Ml* Newton. —-The Beturnina Officer informed Mr Swan that having been duly proposed and seconded he could not withdraw without sending in a proper notice in writing ---/The shqw of hands was then taken with the following result:— Swan, 15; Colenso, 12; Newton, 8. A poll was then called for on behalf of Mr Newton, and announced for Thursday next, and the proceedings closed with a rote of thanks to the Returning officer, proposed by Mr Colenso and seconded by Mr Newton. We regret to state that the brigantine Esther still lies on the boulder bank, and it is now very doubtful whether she can be got off. It was expected that she would come off at high water, but before that time she had sustained such serious damage, and admitted so much water that she would not float, and she now lies bilged and stranded. A survey was held upon her thi-> afternoon by Capt. Holmes, of the Star of South, and Capt. Andrew, and a report has been drawn up a« to her condition, but it has not yet been decided what is to be done with her.