ELECTION PETITION.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 97, 20 February 1897, Page 2

ELECTION PETITION.

Weixinotox, Thursday. The Registrar reported to the Petition Court that there were 5738 undisputed votes cast for Fisher and 5716 for Alkiuson. Of the seamen's votes, 21 were given for Fisher and six for Atkinson. Of the disputed there were 13 for Fisher and 11 for Atkinson rejected as informal, which, however, Mr Skerrett claimed should be allowed. There were also left in dispute 36 for Fisher aud 25 tor Atkinson. The objection to the searr.en's votes was that they were not properly signed by the Collector of Customs, but the Court disallowed this objection, leaving Fisher with a majority of 39 apart from the other district votes, which the Court then pioceeded to examine. On most of them there was considerable argument and a numbjr of English cases were cited. Counsel for the petiiioner said they had conic to an arrangement over the disputed votes which gave Fisher a majority of 40. There were still 10 left, but they would not affect the result. They found all the charges of personation could not be proved, and unless all could be substantiated they would not upset the admitted majority. He therefore abandoned this paitof the claim on the seaf The Court then gave its decision on the non-gumming ot the ballot-pupas. Their Honouis held there was no reasonable ground for thinking the irregularity in this respect had affected the rtsult of tiie election, and they therefore dismissed the petition. A long argument took place over the cost, Mr Chapman contending the whole £ should not fall on the petitioner, while Mr Skerrett claimed to succeed. On this point judgment was reserved till Saturday.