BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11025, 22 December 1928, Page 5

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. Last Night. Supporters of Mr Allen Bell, in Mangonui, Hokiauga, Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, and Whangarei counties, have decided to file a petition against the return of Mr H. M. Rush worth, the Country Party candidate for the Bay of Islands seat in the recent general election. As a result of a Magisterial recount- Mr Rushworth was declared elected by two votes. It is to be submitted that errors were made in the counting of the votes and that certain serious irregularities occurred in the conduct ot the election. An Electoral court will probably sit in January. Air Bell stated yesterday that in offering to resign when he was declared elected on t-lie casting vote of the returning officer, and later in a statement to the press, hei had given a lead to his opponent which had not been taken. Since Mr Rushworth had decided to leave the matter in the hands of his local committee ho had himself finally decided to leave the question with his supporters and his local committee. He had obtained an expression of .opinion from supporters in all parts of the electorate, and this was unanimously in favour of a petition being lodged with a view to holding another election. In the circumstances. Air Bell said ho had now been prevailed on to consent to a petition being lodged. He had no doubt as to 111© finding of tire electoral court and he had again written to Air Coates informing him that even if he were declared elected by the Electoral court he would not on any account hold tlio seat under the present conditions but would at once resign and bring about a byelection. Air Bell added that if a by-election was held be had every confidence in the result. Such an election would ho stripped of all side issues, am: would be a true reflex of the feelings of the electors with regard to his work in the interests of North Auckki nd.