KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9464, 5 June 1909, Page 5

KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

Per Press Association

New Plymouth, Jane 4.

Some little time go, iu defending a man at Waitaia charged with traffic in liquor in a prohibited area—the King Country—Mr Quilliam, of New Plymouth, advanced the argument that certain portions of the King Country alleged to be native land, and aa such a prohibited area 'in -regard to liquor traffic, were not native land at all, having been made Crown lands by a later proclamation. The Magistrate upheld the contention, and, as a result; the Taomaranni Licensing Committee, at its annual meeting at Waitara today, dealt with eleven applications for wholesale licenses in districts hitherto prohibited. Of these one was from Raetihi, three from Ohakune, four from Pangataua, one from Waitara, and one each from Mokan and Awakino, the two latrar being for renewals of licenses issued just after the Magisterial decision. Counsel were present from New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, ,Pal- ; merstou, and Raetihi. Largely signed memorials in opposition to the licenses (signed both by Maoris and Europeans) were received. The hearing occupied till late in the evening, and it was decided to grant four applicationsTo T. P. Leonard, Raetihi; Joe Cody, Ohakune (for whom Mr L. Cohen, of Wanganui, appeared); Loftus Boyd, Raagataua; H. N. Lund, Waitara. The two renewals mentioned were also granted, also the usual hotel licenses in other portions of the electorate.