BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT

ELECTION VOID The Bay of Islands Electoral Court, presided over by Mr Justice Chapman and Mr Justice Hosking, delivered its reserved decision on Saturday on the petition against the return of the ' member elect, Mr Vernon Reid. The principal charge, broadly speaking, was that the respondent offered, or promised, to procure a seat for Mr George Wilkinson in the Legislative Council in order to induce Mr Wilkinson to procure, or endeavour to procure, the return of respondent to serve in the House of Represen- .' tatives. Their Honors held that the , charge was proved, declared the ] election void, and disqualified Mr Reed for one year. The Government candidate for the seat is Mr William Stewart, of Kawakawa, whilst the name of Mr J. C. Martin is most freely mentioned as the Liberal candidate.