WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3741, 21 December 1880, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Monday.

The papers concerning the case of Tuhi have been transmitted to Government, and the .fate of the prisoner will probably be decided at the meeting of the Executive Council to-morrow. LOCAL OPTION. The Post to-night gives .the following additional account of a deputation from the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, 1.0. G.T., which waited on the Government yesterday in reference to the licensing laws. The Minister*' present were the Premier and Minister of Justice. Dr Koseby pointed out tbaCwbtle a good deal of importance was juntiy attached to a reform of the lav affecting the sale of intoxicating liquor, very much more might be done toward■ a mitigation of intemperance than waa done at> present if the exislhg law was more stringently enforced. '" Sunday traffic was carried on in the most open manner, and at a former deputation to the Government, the publican freely admitted the fact. The police, too, were well aware of this. He admitted there was a difficulty in sheeting h une offences of this kind, but this arose from the provisions made tor proving, a case. The sale of drink to children and intemperate persons. was the cause of much evil, and appeared to him to be pre▼entible.* Dc Boseby mentioned that recently the Viotorian Government, on

being waited upon by a deputation relative to the Sunday liquor traffic, replied that the Government were about to appoint a new Superintendent of Police, and only such a person as was willing to undertake the strict enforcement of the laws in this res poet would be appointed. With regard to the local option provision in the Bill of last session, these had given very general. satisfaction, though they would like to see the provision extended to the existing houses, so as not only to check the evil, but to diminish it.

The Premier said until the system had been fairly tried and public opinion was stronger in this direction, the Government could not promise to go further than local option, regarding new houses. The Government were as unxious as anyone to to check intemperance, and he might take it upon himself to say that instructions would be given to the police to strictly enforce the present provisions of the licensing law.

This appeared to satisfy the deputation who thanked the Minister and withdrew.