LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 January 1903, Page 3

LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

[PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

Dunedin, Jan 27.

An the Bruce local option enquiry the taking of evidence in support of the allegations of irregularities was concluded to-day, and a few witnesses were called to give evidence against the petitioners; but counsel for those opposing the petition did not open, being allowed to defer his address.

Wellington, Jan 27. At the heariog of the Newtown licensing petition, counsel for petitioner said that the ground of objection to the poll might be summarised under three headings, two of which had not before been the subject of legal controversy in New Zealand. They were:—(l) The actual and true result of the poll was that three-fifths of the total number of voters who recorded their votes did not vote for no license, and the total number of voters, whose votes were recorded was mis-stated by reason of the omission to include votes recorded, but Which could not be counted because of their non-compliance with section 128 of the Electoral Act, 1902; (2) That a number of persons voted who were not entitled to vote, and that their votes must be struck off the poll and result amended, or an alterative poll must be declared void; (3) Gross irregularities occurred in the taking of the poll, which tended to defeat the fairness of election. It appeared upon the recount that a number of voters were excluded as informal and not counted in the total number of votes recorded. Counsel proceeding, said that the contention for petitioners was that all informal votes, except votes which were informal on th# ground mentioned in sub-section 1 of the Act,, should be included in the whole number of voters whose votes were recorded. The clear policy of the legisla-1 ture was that the roll should not have the effect of diminishing the value of the property unless three-fifths of the voters who went to the poll and recorded their votes plainly indicated such to their intention. There was one exception only, and that was in subsection 1 of section 7, which showed very clearly again the policy of the Legislature to have a clear substantial majority. A number of witnesses were called whom it was shown had voted at the poll, though they were under age or had been improperly enrolled on the electoral roll. Evidence was also given of deputy returning officers having left the polling booths for a time and of irregularities in handing the voting papers to electors. The inquiry stands adjourned until Thursday next.