CONDUCT OF LOCAL POLLS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4401, 10 April 1922, Page 2

CONDUCT OF LOCAL POLLS

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY. PETITIONERS’ APPLICATION. An application ofi considerable interest to local bodies will be heard at the Supreme Court, Auckland, today. The application is that a mandamus be granted directing Jhat Mr J. 11. Salmon, S.Ms shall hear and determine a~ petition for inquiry into the conduct of a poll held on January 18 in connection with borrowingproposals by the Hauraki Plains Countv Council. The poll' in question was on the proposal that the council borrow £30,600 to carry out certain works. The proposal was declared carried by the county chairman, Mr J. C. Miller. 398 votes having been cast, in favour of it and 265 against. Subsequently a petition for inquiry into the conduct of the poll was filed in the Magistrate’s Court, Thames, by a number of ratepayers. At the time fixed for hearing the petition it was contended, on behalf .of the County Council, that the magistrate had no jurisdiction to hear it, as it was filed more than 14 ‘days after the first publication (in the “Hauraki Plains Gazette”) of the chairman’s notice. The magistrate upheld the contention, the petition being dismissed, with £9 9s costs against the petitioners.