AN ELECTION PETITION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 336, 7 December 1917, Page 3

AN ELECTION PETITION

Mauku Riding Seat A petition against the recent election of Mr J. S. Montgomerie as the representative of M auku R'ding on the Franklin County Council was to-day filed with the Clerk of the Court at Pukekohe. It will be remembered that Mr Montgomerie defeated Mr Joseph Henry, the late member, by the narrow majority of four votes, v:z , 262 to 258, and the grounds of the petition are that votes were cast at the election by persons not entitled to vote or on behalf of absentees. In connection with the petition it may be stated that the Election and Polls Act provides that the same shall be investigated by the Magistrate of the District, viz., in this instance at the Pukekohe Court, and the enquiry has to be commenced within 14 days after the filing of the petition, seven days' public notice being necessary as to the time and place at which the enquiry will be held. The Magistrate is empowered to direct a scrutiny of the votes and must disallow the vote of every person who not being entitled to vote has voted or who has given more votes than he is entitled to give. The Magistrate also has to determine whether the election is void or whether the candidate whcse election is complained of was duly elected or any and what other candidate was duly elected.