ELECTION COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1932, Page 6

ELECTION COURT

BANGITTKEI SEAT. HOGAN APPEAL. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) MARTOX, April 18. The Election Court for .-the trial of a petition by James Thomas Hogan, against the return of Alexander Stuart as member for Bangifikei at last electmi, opened in Murton court house today before the Chief Jug': ice, Sir M. Myers and Justice Reed.

The petition charges Stuart with the corrupt practice of bribery. In addition there are allegations 'that certain persons voted al*. the election whose 1 names had been illegally placed on the roll. That certain ballot papers east in favour of petitioner were erroneously rejected That some of Hie polling booths in the electorate were closed before 7 p.m. on the day of election. That certain agents of his opponent who were not duly appointed scrutineers, were unlawfully in and about certain booths on election day. and unlawlullv interfered with certain voters. That certain </:lht irregularities occurred on polling day. On this grounds petitioner bases his plea that the election should be upset and that he, and not 'Stuart, should be returned to Parliament:. William J. Bowman. William Ashbv and his wife, Peter Gi'ogan and h-s wife. William Broderick and his wife, gave details of having voted in Rangitikei /while residents for longer or shorter periods in ••eighbnuring electorates. They were on fßangitikoi roll, having previously resided there.