INVERCARGILL POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1657, 25 January 1906, Page 2

INVERCARGILL POLL.

ENQUIRY LIKELY TO CONCLUDE TODAY. (Per Press Association.) Invercargill, last night. At the Invercargill local option inquiry to*day, after tho evidence of alleged offences, Mr Adams for respondents contended that the absence of the official stamp from voting papers did not invalidate these. With regatd to dual voting eight persons concerned had a right to vote, while of two others cue must bo valid. The benoh cf magistrates then decided to make a scrutiny ot the challenged votes, and this occupied about two hours.

Oo resuming, Mr Hosking, for petitioners submitted with regard to three UDsealed permits that these should be disallowed as the seal was the only teat of authority when a paper came from a distance. One voter had reoorded his local option vote on the back of the paper, and that should be disallowed ; so also should three signed papers and two bearing remarks. Mr Adams said that if all the votes re>ferred to wore disallowed fay the Bench no-license would still have seven and twofifths majority. Mr Hosking said the Bench had not yet decided the point whether informal voles were to be added to the number of votes recorded. Mr Adams contended that votes adjudged informal were absolutely voided, and could not be galvanised into life for any purpose. It is expected that the enquiry will finish to-morrow. The tenor of the evidence given indicated that tha poll had been remarkably well conducted. In the case of a deo! man, who it was alleged was refused voting papers, it was shown that he refnsd to answer questions, and that he left the booth in dudgeon. He was not put out as alleged.