LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11492, 27 January 1903, Page 5

LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TUKCmAIC.) DUNEDIN, January 26. The hearing of the petition against the Chafarien local option poll wee fixed for to-day. There tw no appearance against the petition. Mr C. C. Graham, 8.M., said he had decided he had jurisdiction. Mr Adams had itated when the cfcee wa» called on previously that be would apply to the Supreme Court for prohibition against his bearing tie petition, but be had cot done to. He adjourned the inquiry until March. The hearing of the petition against the local option poll at Bruce wee commenced at Mikon to-day. Meesra F. R. Chapman, W. A. Sun, and D. Reid appeared in support of the petition, and Mewrs Adam* and J. F. Woodhoaee to oppose. The petitkm eet out rarioue irregularitkg, and Mr ChapmeJi, in opening, eaid the Act might or might not affect the iwralt of n poll, but the poll could be voided though euch effect were not proved, but some a;t or acta h*d a tendency in that direction. In the petition there were five clauses v' acte alleged, which tended to defeat' th« faamew of the poll. llirec of these wore positive allegation*, and the other two were qualified. Nineteen witnesses we.-.- - called in eapport of the petition when the Court adjourned.