ELECTION COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1932, Page 6

ELECTION COURT

THE RANGITIKEI INQUIRY.

SOME UNQUALIFIED VOTERS,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

MARTOX, April If).

At the hearing of the election petition, sifter some dkscsu.riou a,s to the relevancy of certain evidence, the charge in respect to the reinstatement of Fyfc on the railways was abandoned and the case for Stuart wais opened. There was a further batch of witnesses who voted at Rangitikei, but who resided out of the, electorate for more than the prescribed time.

Thirteen votes wePe'thus involved','in addition to■: those involved in,, the evidence called for Hogan yesterday.

The- Deputy Returning Officer, Murimotii Booth, gave evidence, that the booth closed at 6 o’clock, instead of at 7 o’clock. This waw by mistake. He stated he remained in the booth, however, until 15.55 p.m. He stayed at the gate a few moments. Nobody was then in sight. Only one woman was refused a vote after 6 o’clock. The hearing of the evidence will probably conclude to-morrow, hut the scrutiny of the votes and the judgment will probably take place- at "Wellington .

The case for respondent in the election petition Hogan v. Stuart was concluded this morning with the hearing of evidence dealing with others who exercised votes at Rangitikei while absent from the electorate 'beyond the prescribed time. Counsel for respondent, is now presenting legal argument. After legal "argument, the Bench ordered a. scrutiny oft the votes and •Tie cast was accordingly adjourned -to Wellington, where judgment will be given in due course.