MASTERTON LICENSING ELECTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8120, 14 April 1906, Page 5

MASTERTON LICENSING ELECTION.

THE COST OBJECTED TO BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

INFORMATION WANTED.

At the meeting- of' the Masterton County Council, ou Thursday afternoon last, a quantity of correspondence was received from tho Returning Officer for the Masterton Electorate (Mr W. Gillespie), and from the Chief Electoral Officer, relating to the cost and other matters in conneotion with the recent Licensing election.

The Returning Officer wrote acknowledging receipt of the County Clerk's letter asking for a return Bhowing the number of votes recorded at each of the polling places, and stating that, while not wishing ta appear disoourteous, he declined to exceed hia official duties, which were clearly defined by the Statute. A further letter was, also, received stating that, having submitted a statement of expenses incurred at the recent [elections, he had no concern whatever in any action which the County Clerk might feel disposed to take,' and consequently it was quite unnecessary that the Clerk should arrange for an interview between the returning Officer and the Finance Committee of the Cpuncil. With reference to the Council's letter regarding the remuneration to be paid to Deputy Returning Officers and PjII Clerka at the.elections, tDe, Chief Electoral Offioef'rerorted that the Uiatter ot fees was one entirely for the Council to deal with. The Returning Officer had been directed that no greater remuneration than that fixed by the Council need be recognised by the Council, and that if the Returning Officer had incurred liabilities in excess of the expenditure approved by the Council, he had rendered himself personally liable for the difference. The Govenment, in any case, was not responsible for the expenses of Licensing Committee elections The Chief Electoral Officer, also, wrote regarding®thp Council's letter, complaining that the expenses incurred by the Returning Officer in connection with the election were in excess of the amount approved by the Council, The matter, the letter utated, had been referred to the Returning Officer, and he had Mr Gillespie's explanation, whicn would be suhmitted, together with the Council's letter, to the ActingColonial Secretary upon his return to Wellington. Or Guild moved:—"That, liaviug been refused information by Mr Gillespie, the Returning Officer, as to the number of votes recorded at eaoh polling booth at tho recent Licensing elections,-the Council make application to the Chief Electoral Officer for the required information, with the intention of the Council being made cognisant of the ance of the respective booths as polling places, as this Council, being the controlling authority, have a desire to review tho sumo with the object in future, of taking au active interest in controlling the expenditure where necessary." Cr Toogood seconded the motion, whioh was carried. At the meeting of the Finance Commitee a long discussion took place on the cost of the election as submitted by tho Returning Officer. Finally Cr Guild moved, and Cr Harris seconded—-"That, in view of tho large increase in the Licensing Committee elections expanses, after the Returning Officer hart been advised by the Clerk of the controlling authority to exercise the greatest economy and to limit th,e Deputy Returuin Officer's fees to £1 le, this Committee is of opinion thai; the Returning Officer, iu advertising tho notice of February 19th in tho Weekly Star, in publishing a list of the polling plaoes, in the advertisement announcing the candidates names after they had already been advertised twelve times, incurred expenses whioh the cir6umstaues_of the election did cot warrant, and 1 which was entirely unnecessary, and recommends that the advertising accounts be cut down accordingly." The motion was oarried. The action of the Chairman of the Finance Committeo, in directing the reduction in the Deputy Returning Officers' and Poll Clerks' fees, wa3 approved of.