BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 21, 22 December 1928, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT

PETITION TO BE LODGED. ALLEGED REGULARITIES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 21. Supporters of Mr Allen Bell in Alanganoui, Hokianga, AVhangaroa, Bay of Islands, and Whangarei counties have decided to file a petition against tho return of Mr H. Al. Rushworth, the Country Party oandidate for the Bay of Islands seat in the recent -general election. As the result of a magisterial recount Mr Rushworth was declared elected by two votes. It is to be submitted that errors were made in th counting of the votes and that certain serious irregularities occurred in the conduct of the election. An Electoral Court will probably sit in January. Air Bell stated yesterday that, in offering to resign when ho was declared olected on the casting vote of the returning officer, and later in a statement to the press, ho had given a lead to his opponent which had not yet been taken. Since Air Rushworth had decided to leave the matter in tho 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 that he 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 Air Coates informing him that even if he were declared elected by the 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-election. Air Bell added that if a by-election was held lie had every confidence in the result. Such an election would be stripped of all side issues, and Would bo a true reflex of the feelings of the electors with regard to his work in the interests of North Auckland.