LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 879, 1 May 1903, Page 3

LOCAL OPTION POLL.

ONE BOOTH NOT OPENED.

Per Press Association, AUCKLAND, last night

Mr Hutcheson, S.M., heard a petition from certain electors of the Kaipara licensing district, to declare the recent licensing poll void, on the grounds—(l) tiiat the poll was not open within the hours required by the Act; (2) that the polling broth at Kaukapakapa was not opened on the day of the election, and that in consequence many electors were prevented from voting. Matthew Ci. Lambert, returning oiiicer for the licensing district, of Kaipara, said that on the day that he was receiving replies from persons asked to act as deputy returning officers, lie was very busy, and his clerk brought in a telegram, and said, “ Sinclair, Kaukapakapa," and, thinking that Sinclair had accepted, he wrote that gentleman’s name in the list as deputy returning officer. After rhe election he round that the wire said that Sinclair was away from home. No booth was opened at- Kaukapakapa that day. I] is Worship said that there were forty-eight votes between the lowest successful candidate and the next candidate. , . Mr Palmer argued that th-3 closing of a poll ipso facto nullified the whole election. His Worship held that this was not

a °'l'he case was adjourned for a week, in order that I lis Worship misfit be furnished witii additional information.