THE CHALMERS PETITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12541, 20 December 1902, Page 2

THE CHALMERS PETITION.

The petition, which was eigned by 60 electors in the Chalmers electorate, asking that inquiry might be mado into the taking of the local option poll on 19 different grounds, came before Mr C. G Graham, S.M., at the courthouse, Port Chalmers, yesterday afternoon.

Mr Graham said he had before him a petition signed by 60 These electors had signed several declarations before Mr De Maus. justice of the peace for New Zealand, and they prayed for an inquiry into the voting hold on the 25th November, 1902. There were various alleged, irregularities which it waa unnecessary for him to read. He had published a notice calling the present meeting, and the petition itself had al.=o been published, so that ovevyohe knew of tho inquiry. He understood that it was not. proposed to go on with the mattor then, 'as it was an inopportune time, but, to comply with the requirements of the ■ act, it would be necessary to open the inquiry. They would do this, and would then fix an early date, after tho holidays, when the matter would bo gone into and carried to a completion, He thought they had better open formally by calling the returning officer.

Mr Platts said he appeared for the petitioners, nnd the desire was that the inquiry should ue adjourned. He would call sufficient evidence to comply with the act. He would put in the newspaper declaring the poll, call Mr Weir, the returning officer, and ask bis Worship to fix a date, after the holidays, convenient to himself, for hearing the petition.

James Weir, the returning officer, was then called, Mr Platts leinarking that it was not recessary to swear witnesses.

Mr Graham said the. inquiry was held under "The Liquor Sales Control Act, 1895," ami Mr Platts road the sections showing what the magistrate was empowered to do. There was nothing about swearing witny.ses. It was not necessary that evidence should be given on oath.

Witness, replying to Mr Platts, said the newspaper produced (the Daily Times of November 14) contained a notice that the licensinir poll would be taken, the date fixed being the 25th November. The poll was taken on that dale. The newspaper of Decomber 1 contained a declaration as to the result of the poll taken.

Mr Platts, having put the newspapers in, said he thought that wus sufficient to comply with the act. and he would now ask his Worshin to fix a date, after tho holidays, when the hearing of the petition might be proceeded with. He suggested that, in view of this fact, that the Dunodin and south inquiries had been fixed for the 19th. January, the 26th of that month would be a suitable date,

Mr D. D. Macdonald, who also appeared for some of (ho petitioners, said there was an understanding that tho inquiry wouM he held after the ]9lh, that- was if it suited his Worship's convenience.

■ Mr Graham said the 20tl\ bad been fixed bv Mr Carew for hearing the Dunedin petition.

Mr Platts paid the returning officer found it inconvenient for him to be present before the ?IHi. and

.Mr, Graham then fixed Monday, the ?oih .Tnnuary. at 11 o'clock, as the time when the further heaving of the petition should take place.

It is understood that the other counsel e.ngaged in connection with the petition are Messrs Hosking and Hanlon. and that additional grounds are to be advanced for upSetting the vote taken.