LICENSING ELECTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3823, 30 May 1891, Page 2

LICENSING ELECTION.

VICTORY FOR THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

The election of a Licensing Committee for the Borough of Masterton Licensing District took place yesterday, and resulted in a decided victory for the Prohibitionists. The fight was essentially a party one, Prohibitionists v. Moderates, the platform of each being well defined. From early morn buggies were plying to and fro, and although the moderate party had secured the whole of the livery stable stock of Masterton, their opponents, not to be daunted, hired about a dozen Carterton vehicles. The excitement during the day was very great, and it may fairly be assumed that greater interest has never been displayed in a local election. The result was not unexpected, for the friends of temperance left no stone unturned to gain the end they desired. When the result was made known shortly before seven o'clock, the greatest excitement prevailed at the polling place, and from the vast crowd which had assembled in the vicinity of the Institute rose an enthusiastic " bioorah 1" The telegraph office was immediately rushed, and the news of the victory was flashed by temperance enthusiasts from one end of the colony to another. Although for some time after the declaration of the poll the excitement was intense, there was very little demonstration of rowdyism, and the crowd dispersed without so much as a free fight. The following is the result of the polling, from which it will be seen that the contest was exceedingly close:—

E. Feist 181 C. E. Daniell 127 B. P. Perry 125 G. Heron 123 G-. W. Woodroofe... 119 J. Williams , 117 W. Perry 115 W. Prangnell 118 H. E. Eton ... ... 104 G. S. W. Dalrymple 98 The result having been declared, Mr E. Feist thanked the electors heartily for having placed him at the top of the poll. His party bad been charged with taking extreme measures, but he could assure them they had no desire for this. All they wanted was to be fair and honest with their fellow men (cheers). They had drawn out no programme for the *uture, but they wished to be fair between man and man (cheers). Mr B, P. Perry Also thanked the electcrs for the position in which he was placed. He trusted to he able to give satisfaction daring the term of his office (cheers). On the motion of Mr B. P. Perry a vote of thanks was passed to the Returning Officer, who intimated that the result of the local option poll would be made known next day.