PETITION TO BE LODGED

STATEMENT BY MR. BELL (By Telegraph.) . (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. Supporters of Mr. Allen 8011, iv Mangonui, Hokianga, Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, and Whangarei counties, have decided to file a petition against the return of Mr. 11. M. Bushworth, the Country Party candidate for the Bay of Islands seat in the recent General Election. As the result of a Magisterial recount Mr. Kuslnvorth. was declared elected by two votes. • It is to bo submitted that errors' were made .in the counting of the votes and that certain■ serious irregularities occurred in the conduct of the election. ■'.-.-. An Electoral Court will probably sit in January. ■ ■ . : , Mr. Bell stated yesterday .that in offering to resign when ho was declared elected on the casting vote of tho returning officer, and later in a statement to tho Press, he had given a lead to his opponent which had not yet been taken. Since/Mr. Rushwortb had decided to leave the matter in.the hands of- his local committee lie had himself finally decided to 'leave the question with. his supporters , and his local committee. He had obtained an expression of opinion from supporters^ in all parts of the electorate, and this, ; was unanimously in favour of a petition being lodged with a view to holding another election. In tho circumstances, Mr. Bell said he felt he had to consider this wish, and had now been prevailed on to consent'to a petition being lodged. Ho had no doubt as to the finding of the Electoral Court, and ho had again written to Mr. Coates . informing him that even if he were declared elected by tho Electoral Court he would not on any account hold the seat under the present conditions, but would at once resign and bring about a by-elec-tion. Mr. Bell added that if a, byelection was held he had every confidence in the result. . Such an election would bo stripped of all side issues, and wouM be a true reflex of the feelings of the electors with regard to his work in the interests of North Auckland.