DATE OF RECEIVING NOMINATIONS.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7720, 27 November 1890, Page 5

DATE OF RECEIVING NOMINATIONS.

~ , ...CBy Tb__gra_*h.l ! * (from otna. oo_iu-**»oNDi_r_,3 WELL-NGTON, November S6. - A curious point has arisen io connection with the pending general election, and, unices promptly set right, it may give rise to some trouble later, in regard to the validity of the elections. Tiie point Is this—"What is the latest day ou which nominations of candidates can be received by the Returning Officersf The Electoral Acta Amendment Rill of last session, .which brought in written instead of oral nominations, prescribed that these muse reach here seven days before the polling day, but the question is, what does "seven days" meant Thia may seem clear enough at the first glance, but I happen to know that three distinct interpretations have been o-kially placed on the words, and if no-duations are admitted later than the day intended by law, or.one is refused under a misapprehension that the time for the receipt of nomination- clones earlier than it really does, anyone can see at once that serious complications may ensue. The polling day is December sth; thus November 28th would be the .seventh day before, and this date has accordingly been taken by some Returning Oificers as that up to which nominations can be received, but other Returning Officers have held that the Act means seven clear days, in which Sunday as a dies n<m would not be included. Under tbis interpretation, November 2tith (Joday), would be the date required, and this now is apparently entertained by the Returning Ofiicer, for, judging, from a telegram received here, to-day, Mr Fergus has been V* returned unopposed," which would not have happened unless the iSOih had been taken:as the dayou which all nominations, dose. The matter may prove somewhat serious as touching the validity .of the elections. I have ~ -consulted tbe. Under-Secretary for the colouy, and am . informed that both the views already mentioned are incorrect. They hold that the law requires seven clear.. days, i.e., not including either the; nomination day : pr polling day, and that Sunday Is not regarded e&adiesnon In the calculation, but is reckoned among the days constituting the interval which the law requires* Thus the eighth day before the poll would be the proper date, and. that is Friday, November _Bth, which is the day recognised by law for the closing of all nominations. It is just as well that this should be known as widely and as distinctly as possible..