THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12147, 18 December 1902, Page 5

THE LOCAL OPTION POLLS.

[by TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Wednesday. In reference to the application that the Government should employ counsel for the returning officers in districts where the local option poll has been challenged, the Colonial Secretary says Cabinet has decided that the magistrates should be left to make inquiries without Government interference of any kind.

Invekcabgiix, Wednesday. The . hearing. of the petition to upset the Mataura licensing poll, which declared for prohibition, was commenced at Gore to-day. Messrs. Hosking, Hanlon, and Neave appeared in support, and Messrs. Adams and Macalister'in opposition. Mr. Adams objected to the form of objection as not fulfilling the requirements of the Act, under which the declarations of signatories had to be %keu before a J.P. The magistrate decided to hear the petition, leaving Mr. Adams thei right to bring the point before the Supreme Court. A witness from HedgeI hone said the voting: did not begin till twenty I minutes to ten, owing to the absence of the I deputy-return ins-- officer for the electoral I poll, it was alleged that at Otamita voting I did not commence till ten minutes past nine, and that the Gore booth was closed lor some lime after nine. Evidence from Waikawa I Valley was to the effect that the returning i officers and scrutineers had adjourned for I dinner and tea, locking up the booth. It I was alleged that one voter who found he I could not vote had tea with an official and I then voted. ' The hearing will proceed to- | morrow and then be adjourned till after the i holidays, as the magistrate has to open the j Brace inquiry. "