HAWKE'S BAY SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15834, 3 February 1915, Page 7

HAWKE'S BAY SEAT.

MR. H. M. CAMPBELL'S PETITION.

[ET TELEGRAPH. OWN" CORRESPONDENT.]

Napier, Tuesday.

The petition lodged by Mr. H. M. Campbell against the election of Mr. R. McNab to the Hawke's Bay seat is very lengthy, and sets out, with much detail, a number of alleged improprieties which, it is claimed, should be sufficient, if proven, to invalidate Mr. McNab'a election.

It is claimed that Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., did not conduct the official recount of the votes cast in the election in the (manner provided for by law, and a number of instances are cited ; it is stated also that persons voted whose names were not on the roll, and who were not entitled to a vote ; that many persons whose names were on the roll, and who voted, were not entitled to a vote ; that a number of Maoris voted who were not entitled to vote in this election; that certain persons personated other persons who were entitled to a vote, and also voted in place of persons whose names were on the roll, but who were dead ; that a number of persons voted at more than one polling-booth; that many persons who were prohibited from voting by the op?ration of the lawwere admitted to the polling-booths, and exercised a vote; that a large number of ballot-papers were allowed in the recount which should have been put aside as informal, and many papers in favour of the petitioner were wrongfully rejected; that a portion of the votes cast by members of the expeditionary forces, although allowed by the returning officer, were actually (Tendered null and void by reason of certain informalities.

Mr. Campbell therefore asks that Mr. McNab's election be not allowed, and that he, the petitioner, be declared dulyelected s.i the representative of the Hawke's Bav seat.