THE SECOND BALLOT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9400, 22 March 1909, Page 5

THE SECOND BALLOT.

THE GISBORNE CASE,

Press Association. ■ ; i Gisborne, March 22. At Gisborne Magistrate’s Court the case, Police v. G. E. Darton, candidate at-the recent second ballot at the general election, was resumed this morning. The Crown Prosecutor intimated that signed receipts for cab hire had been sent in with accused vouchers claiming the £SO allowed at the second ballot to candidates. Counsel for defendant said he was prepared to admit thaf electors were carried in the carriages, but Hia Worship said the admissions could not be taken, the offence being au indictable one. Mr Hill, Returning Officer, stated that defendant told, him prior to the second ballot that he desired to withdraw as he did not think he had a chance, and did not feel justified in going to further expense. Witness said that Darton could not retire, the second ballot being compulsory. Defendant asked whether he was within rights in charging cab hire. Witness replied that as far as he (witness)' was aware, he thought he could. That was his impression. He had not looked the point np. Witness was about the booths on the day of the ballot and saw nothing to lead him to suppose that the supporters of one candidate were being brought to the poll more than the supporters of the other. Mr Darton was committed- for trial. Counsel for the defence said that defendant thought he was quite within his rights in bringing voters to the poll. No discrimination was used nor were electors told who . they should vote for. The bodjTof M 1 ’ H. G. Underwood, of Wellington, who was drowned in the wreck of the Penguin, was found oh Sunday on the beach at Titahi Bay, 25 miles from the spot where the wreck occurred. An eight-roomed house at Lower Hutt owned by Donne, Stacey and Co., of Wellington, has been destroyed by fire. The building, which had been vacant for a few weeks, was insured for £IOO in the , PhaMiij; Office. Mr Justice Edwards at Kapier today sentenced William Brewer, convicted of cattle-stealing at Ruaauga* to two years’ hard labour, taking into account the strong re commend s> tiou of tlie jury to mercy. Laurence Jefferson, who oame.up for sentence .for the theft of a suit of cloths* as Hustings, got i2jLnontbs.