MANAWATU.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 9, 1 September 1909, Page 5

MANAWATU.

A Unique Defence. A unique defence was put forward in a compensation case heard by the Arbitration Court at Palmerston North. Charles Coley, labourer, of Koputaroa, claimed for the loss of a finger, alleged to have been sustained while he was in the employ of Samuel Campbell- Claimant deposed that while cutting willows with a slasher for defendant,- he accidentally severed the little finger of his left hand; wherefore he claimed £6O damages. For the defence it was alleged that claimant deliberately severed his finger with a razor, in order to claim compensation. The medical evidence controverted this assertion, and after hearing evidence the Court reserved judgment.

Rangitikei By-election. The necessity of an election for the Rangitikei seat, caused by the death of Mr. A. E. Remington, M.P., has led to the announcement of several candidates. Those anxious to contest the seat in the Government interest have, it is understood, been informed that as more than one candidate is satisfactory to the Government, it is considered best to leave the choice of a representative absolutely in the hands of the electors, without any declaration of preference from the Liberal party. The late Mr. Remington was a strong Government supporter, and was first returned for the Rangitikei seat in Fso3. Last election there wfts no Opposition candidate in the field, the con- ■ test being between Mr. Remington and Mr. Smith, an Independent Liberal, the former winning by over 100 votes. At the previous election, however, there was a straight out fight between Mr. Remington and an Opposition candidate, Mr. Sommerville, when the voting was: Remington 3416, Sommerville 1706. The writ will be issued next week, and the election will take place a fortnight after this is done. As it appears likely that there will be a good field of candidates. a second ballot seems probable, but there would be time for this also before Parliament meets. Mr. R. W. Smith is now definitely announced as a Government candidate and a pledged freeholder, and will at once commence campaigning. Mr. Meldrum. of Hunterville, is also spoken of as a likely candidate in the Government interest. At a meeting of Opposition supporters st Hunterville last night, Mr. Hockley, chairman of the Kiwitea County Council, was unanimously chosen as the Opposition candidate. Mr. G. Hutchison, ex-M.P. for Pa tea, is also spoken of as a likely candidal*.