LYTTELTON ELECTION PETITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1926, Page 3

LYTTELTON ELECTION PETITION.

hearing commenced. [llY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, March 12. The Electoral Court began the hearing this icorning ol the petition of Juuies .McCombs, as against: the return of Mr M. E. Lyons, as member for Lyttelton. The petition of Mr McCombs prays that the ballot papers be subjected to ii further recount and that the petitioner lie declared duly elected inasmuch as the majority oi the valid voles were east in his tavoilr. THE EVIDENCE. CHRISTCHURCH. March P2. Harold Wilson Harris, surveyor, evidenced that certain houses were really in the Ellesmere electorate and not in Lyttelton. Air Donnelly, for Mr Lyons, said ho had proposed to arrange with a learned friend for admissions Irom both sides, lull he now understood the matter was one of yrnot. Judge Stringer said the circumstances in" the Westland petition were different. Mr .McCombs objected to the voles of nineteen people on the grounds that they were not residents of Lyttelton, lie also claimed certain votes that had been disallowed because the voters made incorrect marks.

Respondent made similar claims. After ail adjournment it was announced that certain admissions and abandonments had been made by both sides. The result would be that nine witnesses would be called by vhe petitioner and none by the respondent. After evidence was given. AH' Donnelly said the disputed votes of a hospital nurse and school teacher came within the enabling provision defined in the Court’s judgment in the AVestland case, in regard to an elector who periodically returned to his home. Judge Ostler—There might he a distinction between the person who goes out to work and a student.

Mr O'Regan pointed out the rules of the hospital said a nurse must reside on the premises.

Tlie Court adjourned at 12.30 and a decision is expected tit four o’clock.