AN ELECTION APPEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13984, 17 August 1907, Page 9

AN ELECTION APPEAL

APPLICATION FOR WRIT DISMISSED.

Pr«« isKciatioa—By Telsgnph-CopyrisM.

MELBOURNE, August 16. (Received August 16, at 11.35 p.m.) The High Court has refused. Mr Vardon's application for a writ of mandamus compelling the Governor of Sonth Australia to cause the issue of a writ for a fresh election for senator by the people, The court held that the Governor of. a State was not an officer of tho Commonwealth, The court refrained from expressing an opinion on the point raised as to whether or not a vacancy now existed in the Senatorial representation of South Australia, leaving the Senate to settle the point itself.

Tile Court of Disputes declared the return of Senator Vardon void, owing to the failure of the returning officers to initial 185 papers. But for this omission the late Mr Crosby would have had a majority over Mr Vardon. A tragic element attaches to tho election. Mr D. A. Crosby, the Labour candidate, was first declared elected. Tho honour was short-lived, and Mr Vardon won on a second count. Mr Crosby suffered an immediate collapse, from which he never recovered, and died after a painful illness. After Mr Crosby's death Mr Blundell liecame the protesting party against Mr Var<lon's election.