LICENSING POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2354, 21 November 1908, Page 5

LICENSING POLL.

AUCKLAND BREWERS’ LOSSES

ESTIMATED AT £IOOXIOO

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Nov. 20

In an interview with a leading representative of the brewery trade, a “Hearld” reporter was to-day furnished with an estimate of the financial effect of the result of the licensing poll in the Auckland district 'and Ohinemuri. Owing t 0... the degree of uncertainty still existing as to whether No-license or reduction has been carried only approximate figures can bo given in some eases. It is known that in Eden and’. Ohinemuri Nolicense is caried, and therefore the loss to the brewers in these districts can be guaged. The capital value of the hotels as licensed houses in Ohinemuri is estimated at £IOO,OOO, and of the four hotels in Eden at £35,000. The total loss from the closing of these hotels, however, has to be calculated less the value of the properties as unlicensed houses, which would probably amount to about half the capital value. This would reduce the loss to the brewers owing to No-lis-en.se having been carried in Eden and Ohinemuri to £67,500. As far as Auckland City, Parnell, Mnaukau, and Wait cm at a -are concerned, assuming that reduction has been carried in each, the number of hotels to be reduced must be at least threo in Auckland City and at least two each in the other districts named, a total of ten. At the most there can be 20 reductions, the extra ten all being in Auckland City. If the Licensing Committee decides to reduce on the lowest basis the capital value of the ten hotels hotels closed will be £60,000. If the full quota of . 20 hotels should bo closed tlio capital value lost would bo £120,000, less, of course, the value of the properties as unlicensed houses. At the lowest estimate, therefore, the loss to the brewing interest by the carrying ot No-license in Eden and Ohinemuri, and of reduction in the other Auckland districts, may be estimated at £97,500, on the assumption that the hotels which lose their licenses realiso half their capital value. This loss must, however, be increased when the loss of trade is taken into -account. All things considered, therefore, the Auckland brewers stand to lose a capital amount which £IOO,OOO will not fully represent.. -Since the above figures wore obtained it has transpired that- continuance and not reduction may lie. found -to have been carried in Waitemata. This, of course, .would lessen the aggregate loss stated, though only two hotels are concerned. . REDUCTION IN MANUKAU. AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. An official statement as.to the effect of the local option poll m Mauukau indicates that reduction has been

carried. The figures are approximately. over '2OO short of No-iicensc.

CONTINUANCE IN MARSDEN

The “Star’s” Whangarei correspondent wires that continuance has been carried in Marsden.

THE PARNELL DISTRICT

The official local option returns for Parnell are not yet available. The returning officer states that some absentee and seamen’s votes have yet to be opened, hut it stated) that on the present figures reduction is carried by 385 votes, and. No-lieense fails by 217.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS - NOLIGENSE MAJORITY INCREASED.

WELLIJNGTON, Nov. 20

The recount'of the local option papers for the Wellington Suburbs district increases tho majority for Nolicense from 26 to ■ 206.

THE. CHALMERS ELECTORATE

DUNEDIN, Nov. 20

The Chalmers licensing caunt Ims been completed; showing the iolloAVing result: Voters 5129, Continuance 2155, Reidulchiou 2581, No-license 1950; Reduction carried by 162 votes. There is only one permit to conic.

THE HTJTT CONTEST

WELLINGTON, Nov. 20

It is calculated that in the HutC No-licenso must secure 42 of 62 absent voters to Avin. Their supporters think they can reckon on 35 for certain. The other side claim they know of 21 for continuance, which is auffiicent to defeat No-license. The result appears quite likely to bang oil a vote or two.

WELLINGTON,

Noa'. 20

An open air meeting at Petone tonight passed a resolution protesting against the attitude of the electoral department in opposing the presence of a scrutineer at the official 'recount in connection with the local option poll, as being contrary to custom and to the general understanding of the law'. The matter is to be brought before the'Premier, tho Alinister for Justice, and the chief electoral officer with a request tliat the law may be altered if necessary to enable each side to have a scrutineer at such recounts >•