INVERCARGILL LICENSING ELECTION PETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9495, 26 April 1894, Page 5

INVERCARGILL LICENSING ELECTION PETITION.

[BY TELEfJRAPH. —PKKBS ASSOCIATION.] I.wkkcaroill, Wednesday. Magistrate Rawson to-day delivered judgment in the petition against the return of the Invercargill Licensing Committee, all pledged to reduce to the full extent. He said, doubtless many grave irregularities occurred, but the cause was clearly demonstrated, as it was the first time in the history of the colony that two poli3 wore taken together, besides which many of the women had never voted before, and the accommodation provided was insufficient. Referring to the clause in the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876, upon wnich tho petitioners mainly relied, and stating that "an election should be declared void where any irregularities occurred," which, in tho opinion of the magistrate " tended to dofeat the fairness of election." His Worship said he did not construe the phrase in the restricted sense put on it by the petitioners, and did not think it was the intention of the Legislature that, because a few were guilty of irregularities, candidates and electors innocent of the wrong should be put to trouble and expense. Notwithstanding irregularities, ho held that tho election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Electoral Act, 1893. Had the election been close, no doubt quite sufficient was proved to upset the poll, but the majority for the elected candidates was so large, that in his opinion the irregularities did not have such effect. He commented in strong terms on the double stamping of papers given to women, and said if the polling had been at all close, he would on that ground have declared the election void, as it was of the greatest importance that tho secrecy of the ballot should be maintained. Ho refused to declare the election void, and awarded costs amounting to £32 lis against the petitioners.