THE ELECTORAL ACT.
AN ALLEGED BREACH. HIRE OF CONVEYANCES. [BY telegraph.—press association.] , ' Gisbornb, Monday. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., George Edward Dartdn, one of the unsuccessful candidates in the contest for the Waiapu seat, was charged, upon the information" of Sergeant Hutton, with having, on or about November 25, 1908, at Gisborne, committed an illegal practice within the meaning of the Legislature Act, 1908, by paying money to J. R. Redstone and Sons on account of hire of carriages for the conveyance of , electors to and from the polls, for the purpose of'promoting his election.
The Crown Prosecutor, stated that signed receipts for cab hire had been sent in with the accused's vouchers, claiming the £50 allowed to second ballot candidates. ,
Counsel for the defendant said that he was prepared to admit that electors wer a carried in carriages, but His Worship intimated that the admissions could not be taken, the offence was an indictable one.
H. E. Hill (returning officer), who was called by the prosecution, stated that the defendant told him prior to the second ballot that he desired to withdraw, as he did not think he had a chance and did not feel justified in going to further expense. Witness informed him that he could not retire, the second ballot being compulsory. Defendant asked whether he was within his rights in charging cab hire, and witness replied that, as far as he was aware, he thought defendant could do so. Witness was about the booths on tho day of the ballot, and saw nothing to lead him to suppose that the supporters of one candidate were being brought to the poll in greater numbers than the supporters of the other.
The defendant, who pleadud not guilty, was committed for trial.
Counsel for the defence said the defendant thought he was quite within his rights in bringing voters to the poll. No discrimination was used, nor were electors told whom they should vote for. -
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14016, 23 March 1909, Page 6
Word Count
332THE ELECTORAL ACT. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14016, 23 March 1909, Page 6
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