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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2779, 10 January 1878, Page 2

The Government hare it in riew to make considerable changes in the constitution of Licensing Courts and Districts. A circular' letter has been issued on this subject, for the purpose of collecting information in order to carrj out the view of the Government, and it is understood that the Licensing districts will be made rery small, even to wards of Boroughs or ridings of Counties, with separate commissioners for each. The Government may hare an object in this, but whatever it may be does not immediately appear. The extension of the system of Licensing Commissioners is not likely to give satisfaction, for it is questionable if suitable men could be found for numerous small districts— that is, men of intelligence. and of modefate views; independent on the one hand of the liquor traffic, and unbiassed by pronounced opinions in an opposite direction. Besides this, Mr Sheehan, in replying to a deputation at the close of the session, said that the Government would endeavor to amend the Licensing Law during the recess, and as the Commissioners' Courts had not proved very satisfactory, probably it might be deemed advieable to revert to the old system of entrusting the licensing business to Courts composed of Justices of the Peaces