PETITION LODGED AT MASTERTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 25

PETITION LODGED AT MASTERTON.

MASTER-TON, December 4.

A petition signed by. 50 electors has been lodged with the object of invalidating the local option poll on numerou* , grounds which are set out in the petition. - December" 5. The recount in the licensing poll gives a majority for no-license of 31 2-5. The grounds of the petition against the validity of the poll axe that Masterto»| was a- new district, and that no Gazette ' notice was published as required; that/ persons voted who were not adults and' had not \>een in the Dominion for 12* months nor in the ' district for three* months ; that the population hat increased! 25 per cent., and voters should have had( a proposal to increase licenses placed 1 fcefore them; that absentee votes weref recorded, and there is no power to issue such permits ; that many irregularities' occurred, particularly by the eaehibition 6? placards and by fresh voting papers being; issued to voters who had spoiled- theii*, copies; that one booth was not opened? for half an hour after the proper time... It is also alleged that persons under ago voted, and that some voted who were on .the roll for other electorates. No datr has been fixed for the hearing.