THE RULES OF THE POLL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 21 May 1910, Page 3

THE RULES OF THE POLL.

ELECTION UPSET. ■ IBy Tcleiraph—Press Association.! Asiiburton, May 19. A case of considerable interest regarding local bodies elections came before Mr. V. G. Day, S.M., this morning in the' nature of a petition lodged by James Dellow, farmer, of Mayfield, whoso nomination paper as a candidate in the Ilangitata Hoad Board election had been refused by the returning officer on the ground that it was invalid by reason of it not being dated. The evidence showed that Dellow had handed in bis nomination paper endorsed by two ratepayers, and that the document bore no date. Subsequently Dellow went to tho returning officer and demanded tho return of the papor prior to tlie closing of nominations for the purpose of inserting the date. The returning officer refused to return tho paper, and when a new papor was brought to the board's office, on tho day nominations closed the officer was absent at noon; nnd afterwards ho refused to accept it as valid.

After lengthy argument the magistrate decided that he had no option but to grant the petition. Tho fact that the nomination paper was not dated did not invalidate it. The election of the board was, therefore, declared void, but costs were not allowed against the roturiiivg officer.