ELECTION PETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

ELECTION PETITION.

THE EDEN CONTEST. HEARING OPENS TO-DAY. ALLEGATIONS DETAILED. The hearing of the petition against Che election of the Hon C. J. Parr as member, for Eden is to commence at the Auckland Magistrate's Court at 11 a.m. to-day. before Mr. Justice Hosking and Mr. Justice Stringer. It is understood, however/that after the formal opening the proceedings will be transferred to the Supreme Court. The ]»titioner, Mr. John Pool, of Mount - Albert, advanced the petition in the interests of the Labour Party, alleging corrupt practices both by Mr. Parr and his agent in connection with the campaign in November, prior to the casting of votes in the general election of December 7. In the alternative, illegal practices are alleged. The allegations on which the petition is based are that Mr. Parr and his agent were guilty of corrupt practices in that on November 25, 1922, at the Glen Eden Hall, and on November 13, 1922, at the Avondale Ball, he treated certain electors to music and refreshments, the latter in the form of strawberries and cream, for the alleged purpose of influencing (the votes ojf thtase persons, and for that purpose (entered i(nto a ( contract to pay for the refreshmnets, and engaged and paid, or contracted to pay, for a person to wash up and clean th« necessary crockery used. It ia further alleged ; th.it he hired or contracted to hire the halls mentioned for the purpose cf giving such refreshment and entertainment. The petitioner claims th*t Mr. Parr was guilty of ai corrupt practice in that he gave valuable consideration, or agreed to give valuable consideration, for the purpose of entertaining and treating certain electors, and that, in the alternative, the facta as sot out amount to an illegal practice. The petitioner, therefore, asks that it be determined that Mr. Parr was not duly elected or returned, and that the election was void. The petitioner will be represented at the proceeding* by Mr. A. G Quartley, while Mr* A. M. Johnstone will appear for the Hon. C. J. Parr. It is expected that the hearing of the petition will occupy two days.