THE LICENSING ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 28 February 1906, Page 3

THE LICENSING ELECTION.

Mr James Paul attended live meeting of the Council of the Churches on Monday night, , w l poinloil inn || l;l | the Licensed Victuallers' Association could not agree to the nomination of Mr Stanley Smith as a member ol' the Taranaki Licensing Committee, even to obyiale tile necessity for an election and the entailing of heavy expense lo the ratepayers. He did not want to dictate ( „ t ] u . Council, l„, t merely to have nominated an impartial man,' pledged lo neither party -for his pari, he had never pledged or sought to pledge any man he or the Licensed \ letuallera had ever nominated. There was now no difference of opinion as to closing hours, (he Association having agreed to ten o'clock dosing. In suggesting the names of Messrs Bculcy, Dookrill and Brooking he wished it understood, he was not tied to them—he had not even asked their consent—but was prepared to receive from the Council a suggestion as lo any impartial elector who was not identified either with the Prohibitionists cause or its opponents.

I Hie Council discussed the situation, 'and on Tuesday morning the Mayor and Mr Paul received similar letters as follows;-I am instructed to send you the following resolutions passed by the Council of the Churches at ils meeting last evening;— (1) That the Council of the Churches

cannot accept any arrangement for the nomination of candidates for the Licensing Committee which would reverse the verdict of the electors at the poll taken ou March 2lilh, 11)03. They therefore adhere to the condition already forwarded to you, that the proportion of the Couucil's nominees be as three lo two. (2) That in reference lo the expressed wish of the Mayor, thai a contest, if possible, should 'be avoided, and the cost saved to the ratepayers ; the Council submit for nomination the name of Mr C, K. liellringer, as a member of the Licensing Bench. The names for nomination are now Messrs. W. Ambury. .1. ]j. Conned, C. K. Bcllringcr, J. S. McKcliar, and W. L. New man. I would add that in the event of this revised list proving unacceptable, I do rot see how a contest can be avoided.—l am, on behalf of (he Council of the Churches, Yours faithfully, W. R. Woou.ky, Hon. Sec.

His Worship the Mayor, who lms been acting as an intermediary m cndcavoriug to bring about an arrangement between the parties, received the following reply from Mr Paul: Dear Sir, —I very much regret to inform you that the so-called Council of the Churches refuses to accept either Messrs Brooking, Dockrill, or Bewley as the fifth nominee for the Licensing ]3ench, ami insists on a declared prohibitionist being appointed. The members of my committee naturally cannot agree to this course, bid in order still further to try and avoid the expense to the Borough and County Councils of an election, are willing to leave the nomination of any impartial and fair-minded person, not identified with either side, in your bands. —I am, etc., .Tas. P.u'j,, President L.V.A,

On Tuesday afternoon, the following letter was received by the ltev. Woolley :

Dmit Sir,—l am ir receipt of your letter Ibis morning, suggesting' the individuals to be nominated for the Licensing Committee. I have now received a letter from Mr Paul, a copy of which 1 enclose, in which he suggests that the fifth candidate be left to my selection. If this' meets with the approval of your committee, 1 am quite willing to take the responsibility. K, Cock, Mavor.

The matter will probably be discussed by the Council of the Churches this evening, when it is possible that the appoiutnienl of the Mayor as " sole selector" of the last representative will be agreed to. Should the offer, however, be declined, it will mean that an election will have to be fought. After the exchange of this correspondence, such an election would be interesting, though expensive.