THE LYTTELTON ELECTION PETITION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2460, 23 February 1882, Page 3

THE LYTTELTON ELECTION PETITION.

The decision on the petition filed by Mr W. Hollis, of Lyttelton, against the return of Mr Harry Allwright as member for the port was given at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, by their Honors Judges Johnston and Williams this morning. _ His Honor Judge Johnston said the decision had been deferred because a similar petition had to be heard in another part of the colony, and though they bad little doubt but that the petition must fail after hearing the argument of counsel in the present case it was desirable that judgment should be deferred until that petition had been argued. His Honor then repeated the judgment that was given in the Wakanui case with respect to the right of aliens to vote and the conclusiveness of the electoral roll as laid down in the 27th section of tho Registration of Electors Act, which is to this effect: —“ That when tho roll has been added to a»d altered from time to time it shall for the time being be the roll for the district for which it is made, and tho several persons whose names are on the said roll, and no other person, shall be entitled to vote at any election of a member of the House of Beprosentatives for suoh district.” As to the question of hardship, they had nothing to do with it. The law we • enacted by the representatives oi tho people of the colony, and they were bound to carry it out. There oould scarcely be any hardship, as the same law must apply tho same to one as the other. The petitioner had failed to prove. His Honor |said the question of costs did not require to be argued. Mr Holmes, counsel for the respondent, said, “They follow the verdict your Honor j” to which his Honor Judge Johnston assented, and tho business of the Court oame to a finish.

Mr George Harper, with him Mr Button, were counsel for the petitioner 5 Mr Holmes and Mr Oowlishaw for the respondent. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for the registration officer.