WELLINGTON NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 814, 31 January 1903, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS

By Te!i:f!’'fiph— Pre = s Association. Wellington, last night. On the Newtown local option enquiry resuming to-day 10 McArthur, S.M . gave judgment on the point raised as to the conelusiveness or otherwise of the roll. His Worship said that utter locking most carefully into the matter he must conclude that in both the electoral and iiceiisiijg pc-iit’ons the Court might at any time during the hearing direct a recount or scrutiny of votes given at the election to which the petition titers, and suould disallow t.ie vote ct ever-, person found guilty of auy corrupt or illegal practice, or whose name had been illegally placed or retained on the roll. He would confine the scrutiny to the names on the petition in so far as they were brought before him by petition or referred to by counsel. Mr Hood, chief engineer of the s.s. Petone, has been appointed inspector of machinery for the colony. The Government are sending to England for another officer to replace Sir Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, resigned. At the local option enquiry, Sir Bell, the opposing counsel, assumed that the Court was going to open the ballot papers of those persons whose names appeared on the petition, and ascertain how they voted. The Slagistrate : That is so. Sir Bell said that might entitle his clients to ask for prohibition in the Supreme Court against the Lower Court. As it was an important matter it should be fully determined. He applied for an adjournment. It was eventually agreed that some further evidence bo called this afternoon, and then an adjournment made till Sionday.

THE NEWTOWN ELECTION. Later. —At the Newtown local option inquiry evidence was called by those opposed to the petition. AVitnesses gave evidence that the booths were not overcrowded,, and that the irregularity of giving voting papers separately to the electors only occurred in a few instances, and was soon corrected. No spoiled ballet papers were put into boxes. The case was adjourned until Slonday.

LAND FOE SETTLEMENT. In March the Lands Department will throw open about 59,000 acres of first and second class land in the Bay of Plenty district. NEW ZEALAND BUTTER.

The NewZealaud ptoduce commissioner in London, writing to the Department of Agriculture, says that the reports are most satisfactory concerning the quality of Now Zealand butter received in England this season. The lowering of Copenhagen quotations has had a depressing effect on holders of New Zealand stocks. A steady demand existed for cheese, and a fair business was being done.

A RECORD. At the Stratford Caledoniau Sports, Kerr put up a record of 6min 23sec in the mile walk. ENGLISH FOOTBALL TEAM.

At a meetiug of the Wellington Football Association to-night, a letter was received from the New Zealand Association stating that Jessop, if guaranteed the sum of .£3OOO, would briug a team from England to Australia in 1904, and spend July in New Zealand. It was decided to reply that £3OOO was a very large amount and that more information on the subject should be obtained. In the meantime the Wellington Association was prepared to guarantee up to £3OO.

VETERANS’ HOME. At a meetiug of the general committee of the Veterans’ Home Fund, plans were exhibited of the proposed building, which it was announced would be erected at “ The Pa,” a piece of laud about fifteen acres in extent, near Onehunga, once tho residence of the late Hon. Jas. Williamson.

THE GOVERNOR. Lord Ranfurly left for Timaru to night.