DISPUTED LOAN POLE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21792, 26 May 1936, Page 13

DISPUTED LOAN POLE

MAGISTRATE’S ENQUIRY

(FBKSS ABSOCIATIOK TELEGEAJI.)

AUCKLAND, May 25. The declared result of the loan poll held recently by the Glen Eden Town Board was challenged by 10 ratepayers of the jdistrict in the Magistrate’s Court, when an enquiry into the validity of certain voting papers was conducted by Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M. The loan poll concerned a proposal to raise £3500 for the erection of a town hall in Glen Eden. After the preliminary count of votes cast at the poll it was announced by the returning officer that 110 votes had been for the proposal and the same number against it However, in the official count one of the voting papers previously included among the negative votes was deemed to be informal, and the loan project was therefore declared carried by 110 votes to 109. Inter a meeting of ratepayers was held to consider the matter, and it was decided to petition for a magisterial enquiry.

“I find,” said the magistrate, after hearing counsel, “that the voting papers which are subject to this enquiry were quite properly disposed of by the returning officer, and that at the poll the proposal was duly carried.”

Petitioners were ordered to pay. the costs of the enquiry, and £7 7s solid* tors’ costs.