DOMINION NEWS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3034, 17 March 1923, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT ' (By Telegraph—Press* Association.)' WELLINGTON, Friday, By a "Gazette Extraordinary," issued this, morning, Parliament, which stands prorogued to March 22, has been further adjourned until April 26. WESTERN MAORI SEAT * ""* SIR M. POMARE EXONERATED AUCKLAND, this day. The hearing of the petition against the election of Sir Maui Pomare for the Western Maori electorate was concluded at the Auckland. Supreme Court yesterday, when Mr Justice Stringer and Mr Justice Hosking dismissed such of the charges specifically charged against the respondent as had not been withdrawn. This completely exonerated Sir Maui and left the question whether the election should not be voided on the ground that, as the counterfoils had not been detached from the voting papers, the secrecy of the ballot had been destroyed.

This point Avas argued at some length by counsels and their Honours reserved decision, which will be delivered at Wellington on April 9th.

SHOCKING FATALITY WELLINGTON, this day. An unfortunate fatality marred the \ closing stages of the Army Association's rifle meeting at Trentham. A number of territorials occupying one hutment were skylarking when a mock; raid on them was made from another hli'tnient. Sham bayonet fighting was indulged in. The lights were turned out and when switched on again-it was found Private J. S. Lean, of Otago, had received a bayonet thrust in the abdomen, the scabbard having slipped on! one of the bayonets. Lean was removed to hospital where he jitied. An enquiry was opened this morning.