HUTT LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3093, 15 January 1909, Page 5

HUTT LOCAL OPTION POLL.

ENQUIRY AT PETONE, By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 14. The enquiry into the Hutt Local ! Option Poll was opened in the Oddfellows' Hall, Petone, at 2 p.m., today, before Dr McArthur and Messrs W. P. and VV. G. Riddell, Stipendiary Magistrates. Messrs A. R. Atkinson and H. H. Ostler represented the petitioners (the No-License Party), and Mr G. P. Skerrett, K.C., with Mr Blair and Mr Cracroft Wilson, appeared for the respondents. The public attended in considerable numbers, great interest being taken in the proceedings. Mr Atkinson opened the case at length, going exhaustively into the allegations of the petition. He claimed that either No-License was carried or that a fresh poll should be ordered in consequence of irregularities which had taken place. Thirteen voters had been impersonated. In some cases the deputy returning officers might have struck out the wrong names in checking off the roll. The petitioners would show that five persons had voted who were not entitled to vote, because they had not resided in the electorate at any time within six months prior to the election. It would be 'shown that the ballot papers from different hooths had not been sent to the returning officer by the deputies with that despatch required by the Act. It would be alleged that a voter had , been offered £5 for his vote, and that a certain individual had promised a tradesman an order for a carriage if continuance were carried. Further, he would endeavour tu show that beer had been illegally sent to certain polling booths, and that beer had been given free to voters on the day of the poll. Petitioners would also show that one hotel in the district" had been illegally open on the day of the poll. * Most of the evidence taken today was of persons in whose names it is alleged there had been impersonation. All these witnesses said they had \oted only once, and told the Court at what booth they voted. 'lhe papers will be examined subsequently at Wellington. The inquiry wi'l be continued tomorrow.