INVERCARGILL LICENSING POLL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7948, 25 January 1906, Page 5

INVERCARGILL LICENSING POLL.

THE ENQUIRY. INVERCAKGILL, Jan. 24. At the local op*ion poll enquiry evidence was given that at certain booths persons outside stopped voters, asked their names, and cave them their numbers. The returning office", who was spoken to, said it facilitated the voting. The witnesses regarded this as a reasonable explanation. LATER. At the Invercargill option inquiry, to-day, after the evidence of the alleged offences. Mr Adams, for the respondents, contended that the absence of the official stamp from the voting papers did not invalidate these. With regard to dual voting, eight persons concerned had the right to vote, while of two others, one must be valid. The Benoh of Magistrates then decided to make a scrutiny of the challenged votes, and this occupied about two hours. On rosuming, Mr Bosking, for the petitioners, submitted that with regard to three unsealed permits, that these should be disallowed, as the seal was only a test of authority when the papers came,, from a distance. One voter had recorded his local option vote on the baok of the paper, and that should be disallowed; so, also, should the three sianed papers, and the two bearing remarks. Mr Adams said that if all the votes referred to were disallowed by the Bench, no-license would still have seven and two-fifths majority. Mr Hosking said the Bench had not yet decided the point whether the informal votes were to be added to the number of votes recorded. Mr Adams contended that the votes adjudged informal were absolutely voided, and could not be galvanized into life for any purpose. It is expected that the inquiry will finish to-morrow. Tb6 tenor of the evidenco given indicated that the poll bad beeq remarkably well conducted. In the aase of the deaf man, wbo alleged tie vygs refused a voting paper, it was ebown that he ' refused to answer written questions, and that he left the booth in a dudgeon, and was not put out as was alleged.