INVERCARGILL' POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1663, 1 February 1906, Page 2

INVERCARGILL' POLL.

PROHIBITION UPHELD.

(Per Press Association.)

Invercargill, last mgbt. * The Magistrate d.livered judgment on the local option petition, which was dismissed, wiih oosts against the petitioners. The Couit disallowed fourno-lioonße votes, reduoiog the majority to nine. The Chairman said the Court was unanimous in its judgment. With r.gard to the irregularities the evidence disproved the whole of them. In reference to illiterates, though there had been irregularities on the part of an offioial, such should not. invalidate their votes, In regard to the official seal being absent from certain papers, the Court was unable to tski tbe view of petitioners. Unsealed papers were not to be treated as informal unless there was reason to believe they were fraudulent. Ineffective voting papers could not be aooepted as votes having been recorded. The law disregards tbe voice of an elector who speaks through an informal ballot paper, and he could not be considered a voter. Of the votes disavowed, one had two lineß and a part of a third deleted, odo had a line across the beck, and two bote writing. Costs, 44 guineas, were awarded against petitioners. The Court held that informal votes could not be cast for reduction, and no* ' license, aod for all practical purposes should be treated as votes for cantinuanoe. - It also ruled that absent voters’ permits i did allow holders to vote on the licensing poll. i