LATE NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 948, 22 July 1903, Page 2

LATE NEW ZEALAND.

ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES*

Per Press Association AUCKLAND, last night. <JS\ special meeting appointed by the City Council to consider the state of the roll, and alleged irregularities at the last election, held a public enquiry, when remarkable Statements were made. The difficulties in polling, especially for the Mayoral contest, were discussed, and allegations of wholesale illegalities in the preparation of voters’ claims were made by, Mrs Agnes E. Nicol, .who supervised the canvassing on behalf of the Tramway Company. She alleged that four hundred claims which were collected by a canvasser not on the roll (and therefore unable to witness them) were taken in batches to a certain person and signed, not in the presence of the applicants as required by, the Act. Mrs Nicol said that she" supervised 3000 claims and 700 or 800 more were collected by the Tramway Company canvassers in the south ward. The enquiry L Was adjourned until Wednesday. THE HOLIDAY QUESTION: AUCKLAND, last night. Ai well-attended meeting of retail tradesmen was held in Wesley Hall,, Karangahape road, this afternoon, for the purpose of considering the provisions for a compulsory Saturday half-holiday, in the new, Shop Hours Bill. A resolution was carried, protesting against the proposed change, and requesting .Government to retain the present method of fixing the half-holiday, by means of a local shop hoars conference. Disapproval of the proposal as to the inclusion of Labor Day as a special holiday was also expressed.

ARRIVAL OE CORINTHIC. WELLINGTON, last night.' .The Shaw Savili Company’s steamer Corinthic arrived from London to-day, .via Hobart. As precautions were taken to prevent any communication with the shore at Tasmanian ports the vessel was granted ‘pratique here on arrival. THE GRACCHUS AFFAIR. CHRISTCHURCH, last night, Dr Upham and Health Inspector Mumich have received cne month’s notice of dismissal from June 30, in connection with the Gracchus cases. There is a possibility of the notice being reviewed by the Department. . SPURIOUS COIN. CHRISTCHURCH, last nightj Frank. Donnelly was charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with ■having uttered a spurious half-sove-reign on July 16. He entered a shop, and got a packet of cigarettes and 9s 6d change Some hours afterwards he was arrested and identified by the shopkeeper. The ' expert evidence at Court was to the effect that the coin was a brass token or counter of the type used sometimes as a check in restaurants or at card playing. Accused was committed for trial, reserving his defence. Bail was allowed in one sum of £SO and two sureties of £25 each