RICCARTON CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 14

RICCARTON CONTEST.

MR. H. S. S. KYLE'S MAJORITY

POSSIBILITY OF A PETITION.

WRONG ENROLMENTS ALLEGED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. Although no action has yet been decided upon there is a possibility that a petition may be lodged against tho election of Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Government) for tho Iliccarton scat. Tho grounds of such a petition would be that tho result of tho election may havo been affected by the votes of electors who wero wrongly enrolled in the Riccarton electorate. Mr. A. A. McLachlan, tho United candidate for the seat who was beaten by Mr. Ivylo by 45 votes, stated this morning that tho movement for a petition had como entirely from peoplo interested in tho localities where electors wero understood to havo been wrongly enrolled. lie was not taking any action personally, but his committee ' might consider tho position. "Thero aro two things which I wish to make perfectly clear," said McLachlan. "I am not alleging anything against Mr. Kyle and I am satisfied that every care in the conduct of the poll was taken by tho returning officer. I havo been informed, however, of a fairly largo number of peoplo who are wrongly enrolled. I know of about 20 such cases myself and before tho election I tol,d some of them not to voto without consulting the Returning officer.

"It is quito possible that thero may bo more, but tho question arises whether thero aro enough of them to affect tho result of tho election. The cases occur in tho vicinity of Broadficld, Brooksido, tho Riccarton racecourse and other places where tho boundary of the Riccarton electorate meets the boundaries of tho Kaiapoi and Mid-Canterbury electorates. It depends partly on my committee and partly on the United Party organisation in Wellington whether any petition will be lodged."

Tho time for making application for a magisterial recount of the votes expired to-day, but Mr. McLachlan made it clear that one would not bo asked for. "I have already written to the United Party headquarters," he said, "stating that I am perfectly certain that a magisterial recount would not alter the position and for that reason I u.lo not think it is worth while asking for one."