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MR. SPEAKER informed the House, that he had received from Mr. Justice Mellor, one of the Judges selected, pursuant to the Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868, for the Trial of Election Petitions, Certificates and Reports relating to the Election for the Borough of Launceston; and for the Borough of Petersfield.
And that he had received from Mr. Justice Grove, another of the Judges so selected, a further Certificate and Report, and also a Letter, relating to the Election for the Borough of Boston.
Launceston Election,—In the matter of a Petition relating to the last Election for the Borough of Launceston, Mr. Justice Mellor reported that James Henry Deakin, whose Election and Return were complained of by the Petition, was not duly elected and returned at the said Election, and that his Election and Return were wholly null and void.
Mr. Justice Mellor further specially reported that the said James Henry Deakin had been guilty of a corrupt practice within the true intent and meaning of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1854.
Petersfield Election,—In the matter of a Petition for the Borough of Petersfield, Mr. Justice Mellor reported that at the trial of the said Petition it appeared that certain questions of law arose touching the claim of the Petitioner that William Nicholson should be declared duly elected and returned in the place and stead of Sydney Hylton Jolliffe, and that he accordingly directed that a special case should be stated for the consideration of the Court of Common Pleas, and postponed the granting of his certificate and report until such questions had been determined by the said Court. He now, in conformity with the decision of the said Court touching such questions, further certified and reported that the said William Nicholson had not a majority of legal votes over the said Sydney Hylton Jolliffe, and ought not to have been returned as elected, but that the said Sydney Hylton Jolliffe was duly elected and returned at the said Election.
Boston Election,—Mr. Justice Grove, referring to his Report in the case of the Election Petition for the Borough of Boston, stated that the case which he reserved for the decision of the Court of Common Pleas in reference to the claim of Mr. John Wingfield Malcolm to sit as Member for the Borough of Boston had this day been decided by that Court, and, in consequence of the decision of that Court, he now reported and certified that the said Mr. John Wingfield Malcolm was duly elected as a Member to serve in Parliament for that Borough.