LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1903, Page 2

LOCAL OPTION PETITIONS.

NEWTOWN ENQUIRY. PEK PBESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, February 5. Th 9 enquiry into the Newtown Licensing Poll was adjourned to-day until Meudtv, pecding a motion in the Supreme Court to prevent tbe Magistrate proceeding with the scrutiny. During the discussion Dr McAithur, S.M., said that in the scrutiny he would most certainly case asi'le the vo v eR of. persons who were under age when enrolled, even though tbey had came of age prior to the iisue of the »ri s. ABHBURTON PETITION DISMIBBED. Ashbubton, February 5. The Local Option inquiry by the Magistrate is concluded. He gave his decision as follows: —" The electors of Aehburkoa have decided by a substantial majority that no licenses are to be granted in the district, and I am asked to declare the poll" void on two grounds —(1) That overcrowding was aliened at some of the booths; and (2) that voting pipers were not given out simultaneously as required by the Act. These objections would come under sub section 6 of section 40 of the Ac* of 1896 as irregularities in an election which tended to defeat its fairnesv As to overcrowding, it is quite evident that though an irregularity was permitted, causing sonn inconvenience, it in no way effected the result of tbe election, as no ony thereby was pe vented from voting. As regards aimultautous voting, I think that the proper course was ' not followed at i Mayfield and Mount Som-rs, and eacL j vo'er thould have received his two pipers at tbe i w time and retired within the boo'h to compirtments. The method adopted wai not strictly in accordance with the letter of tbe Statute, but I cinnot see that would make any difference in the result, or supposa that the r. suit would Lave beea alfcsred had the proper method b;aa used. Ic may have been a miri take, but did not tend to defeat the the fairness of the election. It seem* to me unreasonable to contend that any irregularity, without which no election is ever likely to be free, can override tha will of the people go unmistakably expressed. The petition would be dismiss, costs bjiug allowed to the solicftor for the returning officer. No other costs were allowed.