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EXHIBIT No. 5. (Telegram.) In further reference to my telegram of 26th, I have to request that His Excellency interferes under clause 168 of " The Electoral Act, 1893," in order to compel Returning Officer to accept my nomination, Wairarapa electorate Please reply to Featherston. The Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Colbman Phillip .

(No. 1407.)) Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, New Zealand, Bth December, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 30th November, requesting that His Excellency the Governor be moved to interfere under clause 168 of " The Electoral Act, 1893," in order to compel the Returning Officer for the Wairarapa Eleotoral District to accept your nomination as a candidate for election of a member of the House of Representatives for that electoral district. In reply, I am directed by the Acting Colonial Secretary to inform you that he does not think this is a case within the terms of section 168 of " The Electoral Act, 1893." I have, &c, Coleman Phillips, Esq., Featherston. Hugh Pollen.

EXHIBIT No. 6. Sib,— Carterton, Ist December, 1896. Your papers are herewith returned by registered letter. I presume you are aware that there is a subject or two in the Wairarapa fit for the lunatic asylum. I am, &c, A. Armstrong, Mr. C. Phillips, " The Knoll," Featherston. Returning Officer, Wairarapa.

EXHIBIT No. 7. Sib, — Carterton, 4th December, 1896. I herewith protest against this polling for the Wairarapa electorate, on the ground that my name does not appear on the voting-paper as a candidate for the election. I have, &0., Mr. Adam Armstrong, Returning Officer, Wairarapa Electorate. Coleman Phillips.

EXHIBIT No. 8. ear Sib, — " The Knoll," Featherston, Bth November, 1897. I would ask you to summon the following witnesses re my petition against Mr. Armstrong : — (1.) Mr. Gardener, butcher, Greytown : To prove that Mr. Armstrong said to him, on the 9th November, 1896, " You are not going to vote for Buchanan. We can get a bloody sight better man than that." (2.) Mr. Partridge, Oartertou : To prove that Mr. Armstrong, whilst Returning Officer, canvassed for subscriptions defray Mr. Hornsby's expenses. (3.) Mr. John L. Engel, storekeeper, Brooklyn, Wellington: To prove that Mr. Armstrong acted as Mr. Hornsby's agent at one polling-place in the electorate. (4.) W. 0. Buchanan, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington : To prove Armstrong's gross partisanship during the election, and his subsequent connection with the election petition against himself. (5.) Mr. Deller, Mayor, Carterton : To prove that Mr. Armstrong, a short time after refusing my nomination, refused his nomination to the Licensing Bench for purely partisan purposes. (6.) Mr. N. Grace, Gladstone : To prove similarly that Mr. Armstrong also refused his nomination. (7.) H. D. Bell, Esq., Wellington: To prove that, at the subsequent trial in the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, Armstrong himself admitted his wrongful conduct. I regret that you could not allow me to call Mr. Evans and Mr. Gallic. I must now rely upon Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Bell. As both gentlemen reside in Wellington, no expense will be incurred by summoning them. I should be glad if you could fix upon Wednesday, the 17th November, as the date of hearing, as some of the witnesses could not attend on a Friday or Saturday. Yours, &c, R. Meredith, Esq., Chairman M to Z Public Petitions Committee. Coleman Phillips.

EXHIBIT No. 9. [Extract from the Wairarapa Weekly Times of about the 11th November, 1896 (Masterton).] The Waibabapa Seat. Four candidates have been named as supporters of the Government in the Wairarapa electorate—Mr. Coleman Phillips, Mr. Smith, Mr. Adam Armstrong, and Mr. Pownall. IE the Ministerial support goes to Mr. Adam Armstrong he becomes the most eligible candidate. The Liberals seem to be full of trouble in the Wairarapa electorate, and Mr. Seddon's visit last week has not quite reconciled them to their lot. Featherston and Greytown Liberals cannot be depended upon to do justice to a Oarterton candidate [Armstrong.]

EXHIBIT No. 10. [Extract from The Standard (Wairarapa) of about the 22nd Ootober, 1896.] The Waibabapa Seal Last night's Evening Post has the following : Mr. T. L. Buick, M.H.R. for Wairau, who is in the awkward position of being obliged to contest the new Wairau seat with Mr. 0. H. Mills, another supporter of the Government, has published a letter which he received from Mr. A. Armstrong, of Carterton, asking whether he would oppose Mr. Buohanan for Wairarapa if asked by requisition so to do. Mr. iSuiok does not see his way to accept the suggestion.

EXHIBIT No. 11. Mb. Colbman Phillips's Nomination. To th.c Editor. Sib, —In reply to " Enquirer," I need only cay that if Mr. Seddon has been so utterly reckless of the rights and liberties of the people as to appoint half a dozen Returning Officers like Mr. Adam Armstrong, then every election in their districts where informalities have occurred must be upset. It is striking at the very root of our free and representative Constitution to have strong partisans appointed to the high judicial post of Returning Officer. I request every elector who was going to vote for me not to vote at all now, as a protest against Mr. Armstrong's appointmeDti So grave is this case of mine that before it is done with the whole colony will ring with it, and, atrange