ELECTION SEQUEL.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 141, 5 July 1926, Page 3

ELECTION SEQUEL.

CHARGES AGAINST M.P. AUCKLAND, July 1. Mandamus proceedings have been 1 instituted against Mr William Jones, the successful candidate for Marsden, in the last general election, on the grounds of making an alleged false return of his election expenses. I The action was heard by Mr Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court. Mr J. H. Luxford, instituted by Mr Trimmier, appeared for Samuel Mclnnes and Angus John McKay, farmers, of Whangarei, and Mr Paterson appeared for Frank Bird, the returning officer. It is claimed that William Jones transmitted an account that was false, in that he omitted to include, or concealed items amounting to over £9O, expenses incurred through hire of halls, advertising and printing, during his campaign. The motion for a writ of mandamus, moved by Hr Luxford, was: —“That Frank Bird, returning officer, should be ordered to take proceedings against William Jones on the grounds: (1) That William Jones n*as a candidate for the Marsden electorate at the general election, held on November 4th, 1925. (2) That he did not, within 70 days after the day on which the result of the election was given, transmit a tine account, in accordance with the provisions of-section 173 of the Legis’aturc Act, 1908, of all payments made by him or on his behalf. (3) That he has not yet transmitted a true account. (4) That he hast ransmitted an account that is false, on a material point. (5) That the plaintiffs have made a demand that the. defendant take pro ceedings, and that the defendant has refused, and still refuses, to take action. Mr Luxford traversed-at length the legal aspect of the action, and pointed out that it was not taken in bad faith, nor was there any suggestion of corruption. That, however, did not lessen the fact that there had been negligence on the part of defendant. After hearing addresses for the piosecution and defence, and listening io legal argument quoted by both sides, His Honour reserved his decision.