HUSTINGS. In English Law. The name of a court held before the lord mayor and aldermen of London : it was the principal and supreme court of that city. See Co. 2d Inst. 327; St. Armand, Hist. Essay on the Legisl. Power of England 75.
A 'house-thing' as distinct from a 'thing' or court held in a borough in the open air. Maitl. Domesd. Book and Beyond 211.
The place of meeting to choose a member of parliament.
The term is used in Canadian as well as English law. Formerly the manner of con ducting an election in Canada and England for a member of the legislative body was substantially as follows. Upon warrant from the proper officer, a writ issued from the clerk of the crown in chancery, directed to the sheriff, registrar, or other returning officer of the electoral division. He there upon issued and posted in public places a proclamation appointing a day, place, and hour for his holding an election, and also fixing a day when a poll would be opened, if one were demanded and granted. The first
day was called nomination day. On this day he proceeded to the hustings, which were in the open air and accessible to all the voters, proclaimed the purpose of the election, and called upon the electors present to name the person they required to represent them. The electors then made a show of hands, which might result in an election, or a poll. might be demanded by a candidate or by any elec tor. On such demand, a poll was opened in each township, ward, or parish of the elec tion district, at the places prescribed by statute. Now, however, by statute 35 & 36 Viet. c. 33, the votes are given by ballot in accordance with certain fixed rules.
It is also applied to a local court in Vir ginia. Va. Code, 1887, § 3072; Smith v. Com., 6 Gratt. (Va.) 696.