THE PETITION AGAINST SIR GEO. GREY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3863, 2 October 1879, Page 3

THE PETITION AGAINST SIR GEO. GREY.

The New Zealand Times, commenting on Mr Richardson's action regarding Bir George Grey's election, says :— •* When Mr liichardson's petition is presented the grounds for its prayer will be twofold—one is the ineligibility of the Premier as & candidate for election; the other for corrupt practices at the Christchurcli election. So far as the first count iS concerned, it is satisfactory to know that;, eminent authorities pro-

tuunced strongly in fuvour of it. Clause 45 of the f\>:'St?»«»»: >n Act sets forth that the ' Hous** of Ueptcentatiros shall, until provision bo mntle otherwise in that behalf Uv l«w\ be judges without appeal of <lx» vnhMitv o*' th« election of each member thereof. We do not for a moment believe that the House will sanction this new departure from con stitutoinnl precedent and practice. So far as xvo can lenrn only one p.ira'lel case has ever occurred in New Zealand, in which Sir G«orge Grey was al*o chief ncfor. Members hnv., it is true, often bmi formally returned in Kngland for two constituencies, but owing to tlis fact that writs aro nil mnde ivHir«:ablo nn the day on which Parliament meets, it is difficult for thorn to choose whether to represent fhr< sent for which they had been first duly elected or to resign it with a view of the contesting another seat." In another column the Times prints Mr Whitnker's opinion on the CNse referred to. end from which tho following is r.n oxtrnct: —'' That tho Returning Officer having, on the 22nd day of December. 1875. endorsed on the writ for the district of Auckland City Wrsfc the name of Sir George Grey, X.C.8., -ss the person duly elected in pursuance thereof, and the writ with such cri;ioisernenf; having boon returned to and received hv tho Clerk of the Writs on th« 6f.h day of January, 1870. Sir Gponje Grey then became a member rlulv returned, juid not havinsr vacated his scut, there herns no law enabling him tn do so, was ineligible for the^district of llv Thames on the llih day of January, ]8"B, and therefor© that his election and return for that district was void."