ATTEMPT TO UPSET SIR R. STOUTS ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 5

ATTEMPT TO UPSET SIR R. STOUTS ELECTION.

(BY TELEGKAPiI.-—PRKS3 ASSOCIATION. J Wellington, Wednesday. It is reported that a petition is to be lodged against the return of Sir Robert Stout for Wellington, on the alleged ground of corrupt practices in the shape of a bet made by one of his agents in the late election. [BY TKI^GRAPtr.—OUROWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. Some stir was created this afternoon by ttto currency of a rumour that a petition is to bo lodged against the return of Sir R. Stout as member for Wellington. I am inclined to be sceptical on the subject, as the rumour has too much, of the character of a "surprise" to bo worthy of credit; still the rumour itself is a fact, and may have some foundation. There is a good deal of mystery about it. No names are mentioned, and inquiry has not been able to ascertain the source of the petition, the name of the petitioner, or the nature of the objection.

The assumed ground of " corrupt practices "is that a " bet" was made by one of Sir Robert's responsible agents as to his return. This is a fact which should have been known the day after the poll, or oven before the poll, as well as now. The delay in making the discovery is another circumstance which is taken to discredit the rumour.

The petition is said to have originated with a defeated candidate, but the name of tho "candidate" is not given; and, moreover, it is alleged that this defeated candidate is not to be the petitioner. One would say the whole story is painfully constructive. The petition should have be lodged before now. The only thing known with certainty is that no petition has been lodged, and the £200 security to be deposited by the petitioner has not been forthcoming.