This pro vision was, however, repealed by tho Act of 1895, which enacts that "no poll shall "bo valid in any district in which no "electoral poll is taken, unless at least " one-half of tho total number of electors "on the roll of the district shall have re " corded their votes." It was, wo believe, without precedent that, at the General Election just completed, not a single seat was uncontested. The Clutha found itself in a very pecu liar position in regard to the licensing poll. The proposal that no licenses should bo granted was carried in 1893, but tho Representation Commissioners, in tho recent readjustment subsequent to the taking of tho census, altered the boundaries of the electoral district, with the result that a licensed house was included. It is provided in the Act of 1893 that when a district has been abolished or altered, and " has been eon ft stituted or divided into new districts, the " poll in force in such first-mentioned dis " trict at tho timo abolition or altera " tion shall continue and remain in force "hi such now districts until tho period " arrives for taking tho next triennial poll, " and shall have the same force and effect "as if such poll had been taken in such " now districts." According to this enact ment the Clutha remained a Prohibition district, but there was no distinct pro vision as to dealing with the existing license, which accordingly remained in force, and in consequence of this the returning officer decided that the poll must be taken under tho first schedule of the Act of 1895, instead of under the second schedule, ! which makes provision for the restoration |of licenses in a Prohibition district. The electors wero thus in a cleft stick. If they decided, as they practically did, that tho number of licenses should continue, since tho proposal that no licenses be granted j was not carried by the prescribed majority, tho one license existing and no more would bo continued, whilst if they voted Prohibition they reverted to tho status quo. 