CABS ON ELECTION DAY

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 5

CABS ON ELECTION DAY

THE GISBORNE CASE. (bt telegram—rur.ss association.) cisborne, March 22. In the Magistrate's Court tho caso of tho police against G. E. Darton, a candidate at the rccent second ballot in the general election, was resumed this morning. Tho Crown Prosecutor intimated that signed receipts for cab hiro had been sent in with accused's vouchers claiming the £50 allowed for the second ballot. Counsel for tho defendant said lie was propared to admit ■ that electors were carried in carriages, but his Worship said the admissions could not be taken, tho offence boing an indictable one. H. E. Hill, returning officer, stated that defendant told him prior to the second ballot that ho desired to withdraw, as ho did not tliiuk ho had a chance, and did not feel justified in going further with the expense. Witness said ho could not retire, tho sccond ballot boing compulsory. Defendant asked whether ho was within his rights in charging cab hire, and witness replied that as far as he (witness) was awaro lie thought ho could. That was his impression. Ho had not looked tho point up. Witness was about tho booths on the day of the ballot, and saw nothing to lead him to. suppose that the supporters of one candidate wero bring brought to tho poll more than the supporters of tho other. Darton was committed for trial. Counsel for the defence said that defendant had thought he was quite-within his rights in bringing voters to tho poll. No discrimination had been used, nor were tho electors told who thoy should vote for.