Election Declared Void.

The luring of the petition against tho return of Ah- W. S. Allen for the Te Aroha seat was commenced on Wednesday at the Te Aroha Courthouse, before Chief Justice Pendorgast and Judge Connolly. Messrs Heskothand Clayton appeared for tho petioner, and Messrs Theo. Cooper and C. Buddie for Mr Allen. The petition was long, but tho allegations wero virtually three, viz., that Mr Allen did not signify his consent to his nomination either by letter sent by poßt or by affidavit to the nomination paper, or by telegraph message ; that scrutineers were not appointed in writing by the candidate ; and that thero had beon bribery and illegal treating by the agents of the respondents. Colonel Frasor, the petitioner, gave evidence that a man named Edwin Edwards told him ho was acting on Mr Allen's committee. Witness asked if he was getting the same pay as the others, £4 a week and all expenses. Ho said that no definito arrangements had been mado other than that all reasonable expenses would bo paid. John Moagher deposed Snodgra»s gave him an envclopo containing £2. Ho kept £1 and gave the other to Comes. Ho was told that Mr Allen was a moneyed man, and was prepared to spend thousands over hia election ; and he (Meagher) wished to get a share of it. James O'Hara deposed that Edwin Edwards gave him five shillings and asked him to vote at Paeroa, but he refuood. He had voted an hour before at Karangahake. Edwards told him he had given monsy to othor parties, that ho had sont £1 to Meagher, £1 to Comes, and £5 to a man named Cock, was to pay his and Coroes's expenses Edwards deposed that £2 given Meagher in coining to Paeroa to vote, and that the 5s he gave to O'Hara was a loan. Furthor evidence was taken on Thursday but nothing was elicited to sustain any illegal eliargcn of bribery by agents, and yestorday the election was declared void, each party to pay its own costs.