ELECTION PETITION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12538, 8 May 1915, Page 2

ELECTION PETITION.

THE TAUMARTJNTTI SEAT. Per Press Association. Auckland, May -7. t- At the sitting of the Coi.lrt o! Inquiry into the Taiiiiiaiunui election petition. Mr Johnston, counsel for the petitioner, dealt with various gl'oups of persons who, it was alleged, had cast irregular votes; Justice' C'ooptT remarked that there was no evidence that these . persons were not qualified; Counsel relied solely upon the invalidity of the I'oriils. He would have to consider how a decision oi" the Full Court affected this aspect. Mr Johnston contended that all persons, who, when put on the roll, had not bcui in the district for the statutory period had been improperly placed on the roll. That view was according to the decision of the Full Court. Their votes should be disallowed.

Justice Chapman: Supposing therehas been an error in the application, is there not a presumption -that the registrar made further inquiry? He can do so.

Justice Cooper: AY.e'have also to consider that when the rolls were closed all of these voters, or nearly all. were' entitled to be on the roll if they had lodged, their claims in the proper time. Mr Johnston said that they did not know whether such persons had continued to reside in the district and so completed the residential qualification. Justice Cooper said it was a question how a judgment- of the Full Court would affect this point. The main question for the present. Court to decide was: Had the person a status, not when ho was put on the roll, but when he cast his vote ? Was he qualified to vote ?