The Patea Election Petition.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11785, 7 October 1901, Page 3

The Patea Election Petition.

HEARING AT WANGANUL

[PSB VBXSS ASSOCIATION.]

WangANui, October 7.— The hearing of the petition of William Henry Parker against the return of Fredrick Henry Haselden as member of the House of Representatives for Patea [commenced at noon in the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Williams. Dr Findlay appeared for petitioner, and Mr Esam for respondent. The petition set forth that after the poll was taken the Returning Officer wrongfully ' opened parcels of ballot papers and extracted the voting papers of Frederick. Charles Saphir and Arthur Nesbitt- and,, disallowed votes oast in favour of Mr Heslop. The petitioner therefore prays that the election be declared void. .

.An amended petition was put in as follows;—" That an eleotbr named Arthur Nesbitt, farmer, described on the roll as * settler, roted for Mr Heslop, bnt upon counting the votes after the close of the, booth the election officer wrongfully dis<llowed Mr Nesbitt's vote; that John Everhardt, of Mangaonoho, applied to the Deputy Returning Officer at Mangaonoho for a ballot paper, but was refused, though ho (Everhardt) claimed to be the person on the' roll ; that Ellen K. if aliens similarly applied at Mangaonoho add was similarly refused ; that Phoebe Jane Thorby, of Rata, whose name appeared on the roll as Phoebe Jane Shoreby, was refused a ballot paper although she rightly claimed she was the person whose name was manifestly misprinted on the roll ; the same applying to James Bourke,. of Rata, his n.ime being misprinted Burke ; further, that other persons besides those named in tho petition, and who were on the electoral roll, applied for certain, ballot papers but were refused by the officers in charge of the booths; also that certain names were wrongfully struck off the rolls, all of whom would have voted for Mr Heslop."

The Amended claim was only put in nine days ago and is opposed by respon dent. Argument is .proceeding as to whether the amended claim is admissable.