THE TAUMARUNUI SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 220, 24 February 1915, Page 5

THE TAUMARUNUI SEAT.

PETITION AGAINST MR. JENNINGS' BETURN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Tc Ituiti, Last Night. Schramm, the returning-officer, recalled, produced the claims of aliens not naturalised, There were 134 of these. Twenty-four had not voted. The petition was lodged on January 10th, in the Supreme Court, and he received the same on January 15th. The deposit was lodged at the same time. He knew that Aldridge, the official Liberal organiser, had left instructions that any communications should he sent to J. B. Young, whose office Aldridge was using. He met Mr. Jennings, and advised him to get rid of Young: Jennings replied 'hat Young was doing him a lot of harm, and that lie was trying to get rid >f him. He admitted that he had to push him out. He Was frequently in Young's office, and saw completed claims • led aboufc a month ahead, among them being Aldridge's. To Mr. Finlay; Witness was awaro that Young was engaged by tile licensed victuallers to put names "on the roll. T -Te knew also that he was working for. Mr. Jennings. He believed that Mr. Jennings published a notice in the Chronicle, disclaiming connection with the licensed victuallers, or tlieir representative. He admitted interviewing the petitioner's solicitor on the Sunday morning previously. He'wcnt to New Plymouth to see Mr. Johnstone, who paid witness's expenses. When the scrutiny was progressing Mr. Jennings came to the room two or three times, but his visits had no effect on the scrutiny.

His Honor Judge Cooper asked if the petitioner, in tile face of this evidence, still relied on the paragraph relating to Mr. Jenniim' presence at the scrutiny. Mr. Johnstone replied that he simply asked that it be considered among the cumulative irregularities. . Counsel's argument was heard ' respecting the claim of Mr. Finlfiy that the time-limit for lodging the petition had expired before the petition was presented. He claimed that the time ran from the date endorsed on the writ by the rcturning-officer, and not the date of the declaration of the poll. He quoted the case of the IWairarapa petition, decided by Chief Justice Prendergast and Mr. Justice Conolly, in which the petition was presented 011 January 15th, whereas it should have been presented on the 14tli.

Mr. Johnstone argued that the election procedure now governing the election was altered. The declaration of the poll was now demanded ,on a special form provided by the Act. He contended that the petition wii3 lodged within 28 <1 j.ys, and that the declaration was in t:me.

Judgment was reserved,

Evidence was given as to the crowding of the booths at Maliirakau and Otorohanga. Several witnesses said it did not affect the result of the poll. Another Maori gave evidence that Kis name was placed on tile roll by. Young, and lie voted.

Ail attempt was made to show that Young was acting as Mr. Jennings' agent, from the fact that Mr/Jennings,, in his addiess on election night, thanked Mi. Young and several others for assistance. The point Was raised that Mr. Jennings resided in New Plymouth, and that in order to he eligible for the Taun arunui scat his name, was taken olt the Taranaki roll and placed on that oE TaumarumJ.