THE LICENSING ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2207, 30 January 1886, Page 2

THE LICENSING ELECTION.

There is, perhaps, littls necessity this year to remind the ratepayers of the Masterton Borough Licensing District that the election ot the Licensing Committed takes place on the 11th February, and that candidates must be nominated by noon on Monday, for we learn that both sides have already displayed a considerable amount of activity. We understand that nino nominations hav« already been made, the one haying put in the names ot the full number, .and the.other only one short. Additional interest is lent to the contest this year by the report that, whereas last year one new publican's license was applied for, thero will this yeai be two, so that, if the additional licenses were granted, Masterton would possess six hotels. When the triennial vote of the ratepayers was taken last year on the question whether additional licenses might be granted, there was a considerable majority in favor of an increase, and the new Committee will therefore have its hands perfectly free. It roust; however, not be forgotten that the election was practically decided on the question whether the one new lioune which was then proposed should have a license or not. That of a second new house had not then cropped up, It is not improbable that many who voted in favor of un increase last year wjll hesitate before, they record their votes under the new condition of things. If they are in a slight dilemma, their their position is, we think, perfectly oki. The ratepayers elect their representatives, who are expected to be men capable of dealing with matters of the kind, imd tbey should therefore leave the question as to whether there should be one or two additional house to them. The Temperance party will, of course, pive a black vote in favor of their candidates, and should they return a majority, no new license will be'granted for at least I another year.