GROG SELLING AT MARTON RACES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 6

GROG SELLING AT MARTON RACES.

.— «». -, [TO THE EDITOE OE THE NEW ZEALAND MAIIi.J Sie, —I see in your paper of the 6th Inst., a statement that the Hon Mr Fox had protested against the issue of licenses for the sale of spirits in the booths at the races in this district, and that " great indignation is felt at the Premiers conduct. Also, that in spite of his protest the other Justices of the Peace issued licenses, and grog was sold on the racecourse. , , . You may believe as much as you like about this " great indignation." I have heard nothing of itf and it probably did not extend beyond a few tipplers and horse jockeys, whose virtuous indignation the Premier will no doubt estimate at its proper value. The facts, however, should be known :-l am told that some of the publicans m the neighborhood applied to the Magistrates for licenses to sell grog on the racecourse. On Mr Fox being informed of it, he addressed a courteous letter to his brother Justices of the Rangitikei' Bench, pointing out to them that there was no law in force in the province of Wellington which authorised the issue of such licenses-that if issued they would be of no validity ; and recommended that the Bench should not assume to itself the power of authorising the sale ot liquors, which it did not possess, and under circumstances which would subject the seller to the usual penalities of selling without a license. The majority of the Bench, I believe, did not interfere, but two J.Ps. were found to set the friendly warning at defiance, and to issue illegal documents authorising the publicans to infringe the law. I think the Attorney-General's attention should be called to the action of those gentlemen, and his opinion invited as to their fitness to remain on the Commission of the Peace. _ The affair was, I am told, communicated to the Wanganui papers by a person who has a good deal of money invested in one publichouse, and « whose indignation" at the action of Mr Fox may be easily understood and appreciated at its true value.—l am, &c, r * A Rangitikei Settles.