THE STRATFORD ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2103, 16 March 1920, Page 3

THE STRATFORD ELECTION.

- <*•— Strafford, March 15. An election Court opened at Stratford . to-day, before Hir Hubert Stout (Chief Justice) and Mr Justice Chapman, to hear the petition of the Hun. J. B. Hine ami' others against tin 1 return of Mr Hubert Masters as member for Stratford, ami a skin" 1 that Hon. J. 15. Hine be declared elected on the. "'rounds that Mr Musters was guiily by himselt, or bis agents, of corrupt practices, by providing a moving picture show and music prior to ami at an address delivered on December Kith; and also (flat a large number of persons voted for Mir Masters who were not entitled to be registered as voters. . The recriminations tiled on behalf of Mr Masters allege that a large number of persons voted for Mr Hine who were not qualified (o be on the roll. In the alternative the petitioners pray that the election be declared null and void. Mr Myers, in opening, said that, the ehief reliance was placed on the alleged provision of pictures and music at. the meeting addressed by Mr Masters on the night before the election. After counsel’s opening address, evidence was given by a large number of- witnesses to the elt'eel that a picture entertainment was held, and llml item had been charged to Hubert Musters, and paid, and subsequently repudiated as overlooked when payment, was made. John B. Hine, in evidence, stated that he had intended speaking in the Stratford Town Hall on the night before the election, but decided pot to do so in face of a free picture show prior to Masters’ meeting. The Court adjourned a( -1.30 at the suggestion of Mr Myers,’ that a conference with Sir John Findlay might considerably shorten the evidence with regard to an alien question.