Newtown Licensing Petition

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 28 January 1903, Page 3

Newtown Licensing Petition

[PER PRBSS ASSOCIATION, ) Wellington, Jan 27. At) the h flaring of the Newtown licensing petition counsel for petitioner said that the ground of objection to the poll might ba summarised under three headings, two of which had not before been the subjecb of legal controversy in New Zealand. They were : (1) The actual and true result of the poll was that three-fifths ot the total number of voters who recorded their votes did not vote for uo license, and the total number of voters, whose votes were recorded was misstated by reason of the omission to include votes recorded, but which could not be counted because of their non-com-pliance with section 128 of tbe Electorial Act, 1902; (2) That a number of persons voted who were not entitled fco vote, and that their vo-es must be struck off the poll and result amended, or an alterative poll must be declared void; (3) Gross im-gu ariiies occurred in the taking of the poll, which tended to defeat the lairness of election. It appeared upon the recount thafc a number of voters were excluded as informal and not counted in the total number of vote, recorded. The counsel p»oce-ding said that the contention for petitioners was that all informal votes, except votes which were informal on the ground mentioned in sub-Section 1 of the Act, should be included in the whole number of voters whose votes were recoided. The clear policy of the Legislature was that the poll should nofc have the effect' of diminishing the value of the property unless at least three-fifths of the voters who went to the poll aud recorded their votes plainly indicated such to be their intention. There was one exception only, and that was in sub-section 1 of section 7, which showed very clearly again tbe policy

of the Legislature to have a clear sub stantial majority. A number of witnesses were called whom it was shown badvoied ab the poll, though they were u.tder age or h>id be»*n improperly enroled on the electoral 1011. Evidence was also given of deputy return-ing-officers having left the polling booths for a time and of irregularities in handing the voting papers to electors. The inquiry stands adjourned until Thursday nexfc.