THE ELECTION CASES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2438, 17 April 1915, Page 8

THE ELECTION CASES

COURT'S DECISION THE PETITIONS NOT LATE Yesterday morning the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) stated in tho Court of Appeal that the Special Court of Judges who heard argument in the election oases during the week had decided that botfh the Taumarunui and Bay cf Islands petitions had been presented in time to entitle them to hearing by the Election Courts. The other point at issue (whether the rolls are or are not conclusive) was not mentioned by His Honour. Judgment will be delivered at length on Monday. Tho effect of the decision of the Conjt as to the time of the presentation of the petitions is to cause the Taumarunui case to be continued and tho Bay cf Islands case to be commenced. The Taumarunui case will be resumed in Auckland on May 5. - There will, possibly, be only,the argument of counsel on the facts of tho case to hear, for all the evidence has been heard, .except that new evidence may be introduced when the result, of the examination of the counterfoils is j known. In this action ■ the petitioner I is Charles Kendall Wilson, Reform candidate, - whose protest is against the return for the seat of William Thomas Jennings,, the Wardist candidate. The Election Court for this petition consists of Mr. Justice Cooper and Mr. Justice Chapman. The'Bay'of Islands case is to be. proceeded. with at 1 Kaikohe on April 30. Their Honours composing the Court are Mr. Justice Chapman and Mr. Justice Hosking. .

The petition is against the return of; Vernon Reed, the Reform candidate. . The question affecting Hawke's Bay ts that respecting which decision of the Court has not been intimated—are the rolls conclusive? This question affects TaumaTUiini: also. ' The! petition in the Hawke's Bay case was lodged by Hugh M'Lean Campbell (Reform) 'rmninst the return of Robert M'Nab (WardThe 'Court, consisting of the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and Mr. Justice Edwards- will resume the hearing of this, petition on April 23.