PROHIBITION PETITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 811, 28 January 1903, Page 2

PROHIBITION PETITION.

Per Press Associat.i m. Wellington, last night. I In the hearing oi the Newtown licensing petition counsel for petitioners said the grounds of objection to the poll I might bo summarised under three headings, two of which had not before been tho I subject of legal controversy in New Zealand. They were: (1) Tho actual aud I true result of the poll was that three-fifths of tho total number of voters who recorded I their votes did not vote for no license, and I the total number of voters whoso votes I were recorded was misstated by reason of I tho omission to include votes recorded | but which could not bo counted because I of their non-compliouco with section 128 lof the Electoral Act, 1902; (2) that a

number o f porsons voted who wero not entitled to vote, and that their votes must be struck off tho poll and the result amended, or in tho alternative tho poll must be declared void ; (3) gross irregularities occurred in the taking of tho poll, which tended to defeat tho fairness of tho olectiou. It appeared upon recount that a number of votes were excluded as informal, and not counted in the total number of votes recorded. Counsol, proceeding, said the contention for tho petitioners was that all the informal votes, except votos which wero informal on tho ground mentioned in sub-scction 1, should be included in tho total number of voters whose votos wore rocordcd. The dear policy of Legislature was that tho poll should not have the effect of diminishing tho valuo of property unless at least three-fifths of tho votors who went to tho | poll and recorded their votes plainly indicated such to be their intention. There was ouo exception only, and that was in sub section 1 of Soction 7, which showed very clearly again the policy of Legislature to have a clear and substantial majority. A number of witnesses wore callod whom it was shown had voted at the poll, though they wero under ago, or had been I improperly enrolled on tho electoral roll. The ovidonco was also given of doputyroturning officers having loft tho polling booths for a time, and of irregularities lin handing the voting papers to the I electors. I The inquiry stands adjourned until Thursday. ______________