The County Elections.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 388, 20 November 1908, Page 2

The County Elections.

A PECULIAR POSITION. PETITION FOR NULLIFICATION LODGED. When the Connty nominations were called for some weeks ago it was earraised that the Kawhia, MaUkowbai, Waiharakeke and Taharoa Ridings weald be contested—in fact candidates were announced for each. On the day that nominations closed—at 12 uoou—Mr Haylook’s paper was not to hand (although it was 20 minutes later) whilst Mr Kearns’ wan invalid, as it did not bear tbe candidate's signature. Returning Officer Barton therefore did all that to our mind ho coaid do, viz., declare Mr W. J. Shaw elected for tbe Waiharakeke Riding and Mr J. P. Wright for the Taharoa Riding. It was th ought that endeavours woald bo made to upset the election of the Waiharakeke representative, aud Mr D. M. Holmes journeyed to Auck land and placed the matter before Mr Baume, who advised that tbe election could be upset. A voluminous legal petition was drafted, brought, back tn Kinohaku, signed, and lodged with the Clerk of the Kawhia Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning. It is far too lengthy to give in detail, bat thp main reasons of the objection are That the advertised notice relative to the receiving nominations was irregular ; That the place where nominations were to be lodged was not notified ; That the roll had been tampered with ; That the roll had not been corrected by tbe Magistrate ; That C. F. E. Barton had not been

elected the Returning Officer.

The petition was accompanied by a deposit of £lO, and was mgned by Messrs H. Dereoonrt, F. 0. Dareooart, H. Ellmers, jr., P. Brough, W. D. Smith. W. Thomae, L. G. Armitage, C. Haylock, J. Kearns and J. P. Wright. Although aimed at Waiharakeke the petition effects tbo whole County, and if the petition succeeds the members of the Council are personally liable for tho costs, In thia connection Cr Wright's poeiticn is unique as ho is a petitioner and a defendsut a I ho.

Tbe petition must bo beard at Kawhia by the S.M. within 14 days of whon it was lodged. We leart that both sides intend engaging counsel.