Bay’s Record Of Election Petitions

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1939, Page 11

Bay’s Record Of Election Petitions

Nc other electorate in New Zealand has revealed sucli a flair for election appeals as Bay of Islands. Since 1914 three appeals have been filed, two of them successfully. Mr Vernon Reed lost his seat and was suspended for 12 months in 1914. Ho had represented the district for several years, commencing as a Liberal in 1911. In 1912 he joined the Reform Party.

Candidate Suspended. He did not favour some of the local branches of the Reform League, .whi.eh nominated Mi- .George Wilkinson against him. A third candidate, Dr. Buck, represented Liberal interests. With a majority of 183, Mr Reed was returned only to face an allegation of corrupt practice. Mr Justice Hosking and Mr Justice Chapman hebrd the resultant petition, which was based on ' the contention that Mr Reed had endeavoured to bribe Mr Wilkinson to retire from the election on promise- of a seat in the Legislative Council. A second charge was that Mr Reed had agreed to stay in power for 12 months, ahd thfen retire in favour of Mr Wilkinson if- the latter stood down in the meantime. Mr Reed, it was alleged, was to pay any expenses incurred by Mr Wilkinson. The Court found against Mr Reed. , . Famous Election. Mr H. M. Rushworth feiatured in the second case. He was returned as Country Party member for’ the Bay, his opponents being Mr Allan Bell, sitting Reform member, and Mr R. Hornblow, Liberal-Labour candidate without party support. Mr Rushworth was 81 votes ahead on election night When there were 300 votes to come in. After the official couht, Mr Rushworth had a majority of one.

Next morning six more ballot papers arrived, leaving Bell and Rushwbrth on an equal footing, Bell, the sitting member, gained the decision on the returning officer’is casting vote. A most, careful tWo-day refcount followed, Mr Rush Worth . being announced the candidate with a majority df twd vbtis.

Alleging irregularities on the part of the- returning office* ■ in feasting and disallowing votes, Reform lodged a petition. Mr Rushwcrth Unseated. Mr Justice. Herd man and Mr Justice Ostler heard the petition at Kaikohe on January 28, 1929. The Country Party did not deny there had been irregularities in the voting. The Court held this as proved. Two voters had written,' “Bell” above the printed names., These had been allowed by the returning officer, and disallowed by the magistrate. Other minor differences were _ also revealed and the result was that Mr Rushworth was held not elected, ■

In April, 1929, . Mr Rushworth. was returned at the bi-elections by a majority of 474. This election was one of the most bitterly fought in the history of the Bay. - . .