INVERCARGILL POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1656, 24 January 1906, Page 2

INVERCARGILL POLL.

PECULIAR METHODS. (Per Press Association.) Invercargill, last night At the inquiry into the Inveroargill local option poll, to-day’s sitting was occupied almost entirely with the opening address of Mr Hoskiog, leading counsel for petitioners against the validity of the poll. The principal point raised by him was that certain votes allowed in the recount were informal as far as they related to aDy particular proposal, but that being legally voles recorded by voters they should be counted into the total number of votes recorded. He also raised the point that absent voters except seamen were not entitled to record thex votes on the licensng issue. Counsel relied mainly on the decision of Dr McArthur, S.M., in the Newtown ca e. Some evidence was taken. A scrutineer stated that a deputy returning officer refused him voting papers. Some peculiar manipulation of papers was disolosed. One voter bud turned the paper over, and marked his orasures over the lines on the other side, and another wrote “ for the colony ” in addition to the erasure, One very deaf man was refused voting papers though on the roll and able to read written questions if put to him. The inquiry is likely to last three or four days.