BAY OF ISLANDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1939, Page 5

BAY OF ISLANDS

P ETI ’l’ IO N WITII DR AW N

[PER PBESfI ASSOCIATION.]

WTIANGA’REI, January 19

Suggestions that, the petitioners were forced by the Court, to withdraw the petition, as the Court, refused’ to grant postponements, were repudiated by Chief Justice Myers, presiding over the Election Court, Kaikohe, to-day, when leave to withdraw the petition against the return of Mr Boswell was granted.

Sir A. Myers pointed out the whole position was explained both to him and Mr Justice Blair at, Wellington. They indicated that when the matter was discussed at the Election Court sitting, an opportunity would be given for a postponement of the hearing in order that further evidence might be secured. The petitioners’ Wellington representative had considered this as a sound proposal. Outlining the reasons for the desire for withdrawal, Air W. C. Wylie said the petitioners did not think the tremendous expenditure warranted a continuation. After the election, it was estimated that 300 voted in the Bay, without right, and petitioner believed that these votes properly treated would turn the result of (lie election. Mr Boswell’s majority being 163. Referring to' reports of- irregularities in other electorates, Air Wylie said there appeared something wrong that abuses should be allowed to occur, and publicity, he thought, was desirable. The lodgment, of the petition had a wider implication than winning the Bay seat. Speaking of the expenses. Air Wylie said that tracing the ancestry of the Maoris for four generations was involved in some cases, while Dominionwide inquiries would also be necessary in respect, to 40 Europeans said io have lost the franchise- in the Bay. No objection to the withdrawal was lodged by Mr D. L. Ross, for the respondents. To fulfil the formalities of the statute, Mr Wylie assured the Chief Justice there was no corrupt payment involved.

Air Wylie and Mr Ross agreed that 20 guineas and disbursements should be paid by petitioners to the respondents.