WESTLAND ELECTION PETITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3008, 9 March 1926, Page 2

WESTLAND ELECTION PETITION.

CASE OPENED TO-DAY.

Greymouth, March 8. The hearing of the petition by James O’Brien, ex-member for Westland, against the return to Parliament of Mr.-T. E. Y. Seddon, opened before Justices Stringer and Ostler this morning. The Court was crowded and great interest is being taken by the public. The petition alleged fifteen points on which he asked to be declared elected or alternatively that the last election be declared void. Mr. W, J. Joyce appeared for petitioner and Mr. J. Murdoch instructed by Mr. J. W. Hannan represented Mr. Seddon. It was admitted that all preliminary requirements had been complied with.

Mr. Joyce reviewed the circumstances and said the petition was based on a matter of fact in the case of Rupert Dunford,' convicted of dual voting. Both his votes were disallowed. The petitioner alleged that some of the votes from Westland were not counted in the scrutiny.

Mr. Murdoch said regarding the allegation that a name, should hot have on the roll because such persons had been away from the district more than three months preceding the election such persons did not automatically become registered on the roll of another district and persons may have been travelling continuously. Several witnesses were called by Mr Joyce in support of the petition. Bessil Cain (Brooklands) and John Cain gave evidence of residence in other districts and returning to Greymouth previous to the election retaining property at Greymouth.

D. M. Mclntosh, postmaster at Greymouth, and L. W. Louisson, registrar of pensions at Hokitika, gave evidence re linesmen and old age pensioners.

A. Barker, Bank of New Zealand, gave evidence re F. E. Coote, ex-bank manager, who has been awav from Greymouth since June 1925.

Alexander D. McGravock, conservator of forests, gave evidence re a surveyor, named Fail, who left for Otago in May last and had not since returned.

C. J. Harcourt, farmer, said he voted on an absentee permit at Athol, Southland. He sold his farm in AA’estland, and left last June. He still had property on the coast and he did not register in Southland as he had not originally intended to stay long from the coast. The ease is proceeding.