HUTT LICENSING POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 324, 15 January 1909, Page 2

HUTT LICENSING POLL.

MAUISTJiItJAL JSiNyUlßl'. iiy Telegraph.—i'roas Association. . Wellington, hast Night. . The enquiry into the llntt local opiou jioll was opened at I'etonc to-day efoie Dr. McArlliur and .Messrs. \V. I'. nines and W. G. ltiddell, .Stipendiary lagistrates. .Messrs. A. it. Atkinson ml 11. H. Ostler represented the petiioners (the Xo-liccnsc Party) and .Mr. '. I'. Skcrrett, K.C., with Mr. lllair and ■lr Cacroft Wilson appeared for the repondents. The public attended in couiderable mnnliers, great interest being aken in the proceedings. .Mr. Atkinson incited the ease at length, going oxlinusively into the allegations of the petiion. lie claimed tiiat either no-license vas carried or that a fresh poll snould io ordered in consequence of irregulariies which had taken place. Thirteen ■olers had heen impersonated, hi sonic ases the deputy returning ollicials might inve struck out the wrong names in •heckjng oil' the roll. The petitioners vonld show Hint live persons had vot.-il vho were not entitled Io vole becau.-i ,hey had not resided in Hie electorate it any time within six months prior telle election. II would lie shown thai inllot papers from dilVeveiit booths hac 1 nit heen sent to the returning ollicer In ,he deputies with that despatch require*' >v the Act. It would lie alleged that n ■oter had been offered Co for his vote mil that a certain individual had pro nised a trailesiiiiin an order for a carri ige if continuance were carried. Fur ■her, he would endeavor to show thai icer hud been illegally sent to certaii lolling booths, and tlint beer had bed riven free to voters on the day of.tin 1011. Petitioners would also show thn me hotel in the district had been ille rally open on the day of the election. Most of the evidence taken to-dm vas of persons in whose names i I is nl eged there hail lieen impersonation. Al .h'ese witnesses said they had votei inly once, and told the Court at wha moth they voled. The papers will In Jxamined subsequently at Wellington The •enquiry will lie continued to-mor W.