THE MANGERE ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 5

THE MANGERE ROAD BOARD ELECTION.

An inquiry before the Resident Magistrate, to investigate into the validity of the election of certain members of Mangere Road Board, held on May 5, was to have been opened yesterday, upon a petition signed by Samuel Gooseman, Philip Roiser, and G. R. McCrae. The petition set forth that certain irregularities occurred, which tended to defeat the fairness of the oleotion ; that the nomination papers were informal, and that the Returning Officer neglected to writa hie initials on the voting papers; and that several persons who voted were not entitled to do eo. In con. sequence of which, the election of Joseph Rastie, jun., James Wills, John Massey, jun., James Robertson, and Joseph Ambury was sought to be deolared void. Mr. Theo. Cooper (instruoted by Mr. G. N. Brasaey) appeared for the petitioners, while Mr.T. Cotter represented the sitting members of the Board. Mr. Cooper, bof ore proceeding to opea the case, said there was an initial difficulty to get over, which was that the Returning Officer, Mr. H. S. Andrews, was not present, although he had been subpoenaed to attend. It seemed that the subpoena had been signed by a J. P. instead of the Resident Magistrate, as it ought to have been, and was hence informal. He believed that Mr. Andrews would not be in attendance. On the officer of the Court calling the witness's name in the usual way, no response was made to the summons. Mr. Cooper said he was afraid the inquiry could not go on, as Mr. Andrews had sealed up the nomination and voting papers, and the Court could not break the seal, but if his friend (Mr. Cotter) would admit that it was correct, the inquiry could proceed. Mr. Cotter replied that perhape his friend would like him to admit all the allegations. Mr. Cooper then applied for an adjournment. His Worship said he might accept the evidence of the scrutineers, but if the adjournment was pressed for, he could not retuse it. Mr. Cotter offered no objection, provided the petitioners paid the costs of the day. Mr. Cooper said Mr. Andrews had certainly exceeded his duty in enclosing the nomination papers along with the voting slips. His Worship regretted that the inquiry could not go on, as no less than six defended cases in the R.M. Court had been adjourned to allow it to proceed. It was not only a waste of time, but was also a loss and inconvenience to the public. It was then arranged that the inquiry should be adjourned to Monday, June 21, at ten a.m., and the petitioners to pay the colts, amounting to £6 2a.