LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3098, 22 January 1909, Page 5

LOCAL OPTION POLL.

HUTT INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 21. The inquiry into Hutt Local Option Poll reached the final stage to-day, when evidence for the respondents was concluded, and counsel addressed the Court on the legal aspect. . The Returning Officer, Mr Mothes, denied the accusations made against him that he had habitually spoken to voters during the progress of the poll, «md also that he had permitted liquor to be taken into the booths, and consumed during polling hours. Liquor had oeen supplied with the lunch. This was not improper, and he had no power to prevent it. In addressing the Court Mr Skerrett contended that illiterate voting papers which bore the initials of I the deputy-returning officers and which were disallowed by Dr. McArthur. S.M., at the Magisterial inquiry, should be included in the votes if it were necessary to have a final scrutiny of the votes. Seven of these were for Continuance, and four for No-License, so that it would mean that the No-License Party would have to find nine votes to succeed in the petition. With respect to absent votes he argued that these should not be allowed, as the provisions of the Act only related to electoral polls;

Mr Atkinson, for the petitioners, argued that illiterate votes which did not hear the names of deputies should not f be included in the papers for the final scrutiny, quoting authorities upon the point. He also held the reverse view to Mr Skerrett regarding absent votes, contending that the spirit of the law was in favour of them being included. He commented upon the various allegations in the petition, and the inferences to be drawn from the circumstances surrounding the various instances connected with polling day. Irregularities had been proved, and it was not for the petitioners to say how much they had affected the result of the election. The onus of the proof was upon the respondents, and they had failed to meet it. If the Court decided against the petitioners it should have to do so against general principles and against the decision which had led to the quashI ing of the Newtown poll six years I ago. The Court intimated that it would carefully consider the matter and i give its decision on the 30th inst.