ELECTION PETITIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 46, 25 February 1915, Page 7

ELECTION PETITIONS.

THE TAUMARUNUI SEAT. Per Press Association. To Kuiti, February 24. James Uoddic, Mayor of To Kuiti gave evidence that lie saw Mr Jenn'ng in tlie polling booth on election day when the latter complained about a vote not being allowed. Witness knew Wilson was interested in a farm at Piopio. It was proved that Mr Jennings' name was not on any other roll in New Zealand but TiUimaruiiui, . The petitioner's case has closed. Mr Findby addressed the Court on behalf of the respondent. The most serious allegation, he said, appeared to be that there were 315 ballot-pap ors in excess of names marked on the roll. He was in a position to call witnesses who would swear their names were not marked off though they had voted. He claimed that the Court should older the checking of the connterfoils. Concerning the charges of irregularities at polling-booths, h claimed that nothing had been estiih lished which could alter the result < the election. The Court adjourned in order that ■ scrutiny of the counter-foils con! take place. HAWKE'S BAY SEAT. Napier, February 24. A conference during the midday ad journmeiit resulted in the list of declaration votes being reduced by twelve. Considerable legal argument was heard in regard to the votes of persons who it was contended were not entitled to vote. Mr Skerrett contcn ded that the Court had power to strike off a vote as illegal if the name of the voter had been fraudulently placed on the roll or without jurisdiction or colour of authority. The Chief Justice said that if the roll was conclusive there could be no inquiry into such cases. Sir John Findlay submitted that the Legislature did not treat the roll as conclusive. The Court was entitled to disallow the votes of persons illegally on the roll. With regard to a number of Maori votes, Mr Skerrett said it was clear these should no; he allowed, whilst Sit John Findlay contended that if the roll was conclusive in other cases of persons illegally on the roll, it must be so in regard to Maoris. Mr SkeriHitt objected to fifty-three vpecs of members of the expeditionary force, on the ground that the name of the electoral district was not filled in, and five other votes on the ground that the wrong district was given. Th, Court ruled that the direction of the envelope of the fifty three votes was sufficient. Decision was reserved in regard to tiie other five votes.

Sir llohcrb Stout said the question, it. gardtng those illegally on the roll was tlie most important point, and r. 1 ).- Court would have to consider it care full v.