ELECTION PETITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 227, 4 March 1915, Page 7

ELECTION PETITION.

NORTHERN MAORI SEAT. Whangarci,' March 3. The trial of the petition lodged by Nan Parone ICawiti. Wlmngarei, and Nairo Nuao, of Kai.kohc, against the return of Tau Henare, M.P. for the Northern Maori electoral district, opened at Wlmngarei to-day before Justices Hosking and Strineer. Mr. Prendergast, for petitioners, asked that four items in the. petition, alleging that voting papers were not issued and that electors entered the polling place more than one at a time might be withdrawn. No objection was raised, except by Mr. Blomfield for the returning officer, respecting costs if permission "were granted. The request now made for amendment raises legal points. 'Mr. Prendcrgast asked leave to add to paragraph 3 Motukaraka as an additional place where polling should have taken, place, but where no booth was provided, also Pakotai, not a gazetted polling place, yet the deputy appointed for Te Horo took 109 votes at Pakotai, which place was first gazetted and then withdrawn.

Mr" Reed objected that the amendments, being specified instead of general, were inadmissible. If they were allowed under paragraph 8 he would ask for an adjournment. The Court reserved judgment on the point, and proceeded taking evidence.