THE INVERCARGILL LICENSING PETITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10033, 26 April 1894, Page 2

THE INVERCARGILL LICENSING PETITION.

ELECTION UPHELD,

(Pbb United Press Associatiok.)

Invercahgill, April 25.

Mr Rawson, S.M, to-day delivered judgment in the petition against tho return of the Invercargill Licensing Committee, all pledged to reduce to the full extent. He said that doubtless many gravo irregularities had occurred, but the cause was clearly demonstrated, as it was the first time in tho history of the colony that two polls had been 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 Locil Elections Act 1876, upon which the petitioners mainly relied, stating that an election should be declared void where any irregularities occurred which in the opinion of tho magistrate " tended to defeat the fairness of the election," his Worship said ha did not construe the phrase in the restricted sense put on it by petitioners, and did not think it was the intention of tho Legislature that because a few were guilty of irregularities, candidates and electors, innocent of the wrong, should be put to trouble and expense. Notwithstanding the irregularities, he held that the election had been 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 defeat its fairness, but tho majority for the elected candidates was so large that in his opinion the irregularities did not have such an effect. He commented in strong terms on the double stamping of papers given to women, and said that if the polling had been at all close he would on that ground have declared tho election void, as it was of the greatest importance that the secrecy of tho ballot should ba maintained. He refused to declare the election void, and gave costs amounting to £32 11s against tho petitioners.