MATAURA LICENSING PETITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11487, 21 January 1903, Page 5

MATAURA LICENSING PETITION.

(SPSCIAL TO "THE PRESS.")

GORE, January 20. The hearing of the Mataura. licensing petition w.is resumed at Gore to-day. Mr Adams, who appeared to oppose the pc tuion, said that in view of the possibility of further developments he did not propose to held the position of amicus curias any further, and, with the permission of the Court, he would appear with his friend, Mr MacAlister, for an elector of the district (Mr T. Ayeon, of Wyndham) to oppose the petition.

Further evidence as to the hour of opening the Hedjrhope poll was given by the returning officer (Mr l>. Wilson)," who stilted that lie arrived at nine o'clock, and mad* a start a few minute* later. Evidence was given that the Gore polling booth Wius not open till 9.15, and that th. deputy aeturning officer took the voting papers from voters and refolded them before plating tliem in the ballot box. Witnesses from Pine Bush, Kdeiwlak. anl Mimiluu gave evidence to the effect that voters could be seen marking their ballot papers by those in the bootlLS. The Wyndham witnesses deposed that a mock trial was held in the booth during polling houi*. und that an imaginary " dnink was convicted and an equally imaginary prohibition order taken out against one o> the officials. With the right to call oni

witness and rebutting evidence, if n«cesKury, the case for the petitioners was closed. The evidence called by Mr Adams tip to the evening adjournment related to the Gore booth. The leturning officer stated that the booth in the morning for a few minutes while the officials voterf. No irregularities had been brought under his notice, doubted if any occurred. Other witnesses stated thatwhi'e the front door of the" booth was closed shortly after nine o'clock, several persons got in at a side door and voted.

The inquiry is expected to conclude, to' morrow evening.