VOTE ALTERED.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1927, Page 4

VOTE ALTERED.

A COMPANY POLL-. "WELLINGTON. June 10. The question whether the chairman has the right to alter a vote at a meeting after tin* result of a poll has

been taken was decided by the Chief Justice. Sir Charles Skerrett, in a judgment in the Supreme Court today. The matter concerned the sale of the license of the New Zealand Sounds Hydro-Electric Concessions. Limited, for a. price between £250,000 and £300.000. The facts showed that at a general meeting of the company held on November 23rd. 1026, a resolution was considered that the company’s license, he offered for sale. A poll was demanded. and the scrutineers reported that 1775 votes had been east in favour of, and 1505 votes cast against the motion. The following day the chairman altered the vote of Mr Rhiueas Levi from a vote for to a vote against, the motion, on the ground that Mr ■Levi informed him that he had recorded his vote in error. Mr Levi held 117 votes, and Mr Fitzgerald then announced that the motion had been lost. Accordingly, seven of the. shareholders took action asking the Court to declare the motion carried. The Chief Justice said: "The question in the present ease is: Has the chairman power to permit an amend-

ment of a vote after it has been east en a poll, and to treat the vote so amended as if it had been so east ah initio;- I ant of opinion in the negative. AY hen the vote has been delivered, as in this case, in writing to the chairman or his delegate to receive the same as a vote, it cannot he altered or withdrawn. The shareholder has exercised his privilege of voting when In* lias delivered his vol- ; ing paper to the proper authority, j His Honour made a declaration that the resolution moved on November third. 1926. was carried. TWO MILE RECORD PASSED. 'WELLINGTON. June 10. ■ R. A. Rose’s time of Dm in 20 T-ssee for two miles, made at Nelson on April Hi, was passed as a New Zealand record at to-night's meeting of the New , Zealand Athletic Council, i |t was decided also that the Austinlian and New Zealand Lniou he asked to have the time recognised as an Australasian record. , i The applications of I’. Oakley and ( . Elett, cyclists. L> have their performances of over two miles recognised a» ' New Zealand records were held over pending further information.