NOT ON THE ROLL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 November 1920, Page 2

NOT ON THE ROLL

AN INTERESTING POINT,

An appeal against the action of the Waitemata County Council in objecting to place three names on the roll, came before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate's Court last week. Mr Stanfon appeared for the appeU lants, and JVXr R. McYeagh fqr the Waitemata Council. The reabqn given for not placing the names on the roll was that notice of transfer of the properties was not received until after the roll closed, and the Council held it had no power to put names on after that day. After hearing lengthy argument decision was reserved.

Decision was given by Mr J, W. Poynton, S. M., at the Auckland Magis. trate's Court on Tuesday, in the above appeal made by Alfred Q.'dham, Arnold McLeod, and George Thomas against the Waitemata County Counoil. The appellants were property owners, and appealed against their names being left off the list of voters of the Mairetahi Riding of the County of Waitemata. Mr Poynton said the appeal forms were signed by by the appellants' solicitor on on their behalf, but th_« Counties Act Amendment Act required such objections to be in writing, " under the hand of the objector or appellant." His worship •eaid most documents could be signed by an agent duly authorised, but some must be signed personally. It was clear to him that these appeals must be signed personally. That objection b»ing fatal, it was not necessary to consider further points raised for the defence. Mr Poynton added he agreed with Mr McVeagh that only one valuation roll could be used to prepare the electors' poll; that was the one prepared by the Valuatiqn Department It 'must'be corrected from time to time, as sales of land took place, and until such corrections were finished alterations in the •lectoral rolls could not be made. If such corrections occurred near the time for closing roils it was likely names would be omitted, as they might not reach the county offices in time for the necessary alterations to be made in the electoral rolls. The appeals were therefore dismissed.