LICENSING COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2430, 19 February 1909, Page 5

LICENSING COMMITTEE.

ELECTION PROP ALLY AVOIDED. Efforts have been made recently with a view to avoiding, if possible, an election for members of the Licencing Committee, and thus save wliat was felt to be unnecessary expense. As a result of a motion proposed by Cr. Sheridan at the last meeting of the Borough Council, the Town Clerk scut tlie following letter to the Presidents of the No-License League and Licensed Victuallers’ Association: “I am directed by tlie Gisborne Borough Council to approach you regarding a compromise being made between the Temperance Party and the Licensed Victuallers in the appointment of a Licensing Committee, in lieu of having an election which will CO-1 the Borough £265. Therefore I would suggest that a conference be held to endeavor to arrange for a suitable committee. Trusting that this will receive your favorable consideration.” The following reply was received from Mr. A. Graham as Vice-presi-dent of the No-License League-: ‘'la reply to yours of the 10th inst. a meeting of the League was held on Monday evening, at which it was decided that the League is quite prepared to adhere to the compromise previously arrived at with the Licensed Victuallers -as to the constitution of the Licensing Committee, with the right to them to nominate one member in place of Mr. J. Tomblestoi, who, being in the Bay of Plenty electorate, is now ineligible. The Licensed Victuallers to have the right, should any of tlieir present.nominees decline to act. to nominate others in their place. Should the Licensed Victuallers agree there is no necessity for a conference. I should be glad of a reply by Monday next at the latest. as to whether they will agree. If so, tlie expense of an election could probably be saved. At any rate the No-License League would pledge itself to make no further nominations. Mr. D. J. Barry, President of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, has expressed himself as agreeable that the constitution of tlie committee should' remain as at present, i.e., that the No-License League should have three nominees out of the five. As a consequence of this arrangement it is considered as almost certain that tlie expense of an election will be avoided.