RAGLAN LICENSING MATTERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2960, 4 July 1891, Page 2

RAGLAN LICENSING MATTERS.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent will no doubt send ymi an account of the licensing meetings, the one on the 28th, and the adjourned meeting ou the 30th June, 1 was one of those who was present at the adjourned meeting, and I must say both applicants pleaded hard to got their licenses granted tlieni, but no, no, the present Licensing Committee, it would appear, intend if possible, to make this a strictly temperance settlement, and don't intend to trifle with the question by grauting one applicant a license. No, they have taken the bull fairly by the horns, and cuf .olf our supply at one blow, no doubt this is tho most merciful in many cases of evil—but we do not all look through blue ribbon glasses. I believe that well conducted licensed houses are a positive necessity, and 1 think wu shall fiud that a mistake has been made by not having at least one licensed house in the township of Haglan. The outsettlors are in a great state of indignation towards the Licensing Committee, seeing that there is no licensed house nearer than Whatawhaf,n, a distance ofmiles. J.uat fancy a,district like Kaglan, a seaport town, and Surrounded hy a large country district, and no licensed house in the township. Well, after all, it : only .serves the people right, they should take more interest in local matters ; they did for a wonder, turn out well when the local option election took pia.ee, tho settlers then unmistakably showed by their votes that they desitod increase ul licenses, but at tho nomination and election of tho Licensing Committee, they were all having a quiet slumber, not so with the blue ribbon element, they have properly scored a win hands down; yes, and the fact of their using their victory in such a way as they have done will in future be a total barrier to their over being in tho (lame position again. A memorial is on the Wove I believe to petition the Government to rescind the ruling of the ltaglan Licensing Committoe so as to grant us at least 0110 licensed house m the township, and I feel suro that every person ill this district (with the exception of four) would not only aign it, but would gladly walk live miles to sign any document that could uudo tho public injury that has been done to us as » district. Rejoice ye sonl of temperance when you hear what three zealous men have done, They have cleared this fair township from the sin of drinking ale or beer or ram Hy shutting up the licensed houses where such things are usually sold ; So now it a traveller conies along he'll be taken tu the temperance lolil. The residents who occasionally take their little drop of drink Are perfectly astonished, and don't kuuw what to think, To find this movement brought about so strangely, yet so true, Hy three courageous little men who wear a bit of blue. Dear me, I wonder how they could have allowed such men to „'et the sway, They're surely not tho proper powers to have the ruling of the day ; We'll pack our swag and cut our stick if what you say be true, Can't stand this ruling with an iron rod from the men who wear the blue. (Signed) Mouerauum.