§ MR. SPEAKER acquainted the House that he had received from the Honourable Sir Charles Edward Pollock, knight, and the Honourable Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, K.C.S.I., Justices of the High Court of Justice, and two of the Judges for the time being for the Trial of Election Petitions in England, a Certificate and Report relating to the Election for Norfolk County (North Western Division):—
§ The Corrupt Practices Prevention Acts, 1854 to 1883.
§ To the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons.
§ We, the Honourable Sir Charles Edward Pollock, Knight, Baron of the Exchequer, and the Honourable Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Knight Commander of the Star of India, Justices of the High Court of Justice, and two of the Judges for the time being for the trial of Election Petitions in England, do hereby, in pursuance of the said Acts, certify that, upon the 5th day of April, 1887, we duly held a Court at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, for the trial of, and did try, the Parliamentary Election Petition for the North Western Division of the County of Norfolk, which was presented on the 17th day of February, 1887, wherein Joseph Arch, a Candidate at such Election, was the Petitioner, and Henry Cavendish Bentinck (commonly called Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck), also a Candidate at such Election, was the Respondent; which Petition alleged that such Election was held on the 9th day of July, 1886, and that the said Henry Cavendish Bentinck was returned as being duly elected, and that, on or about the 19th day of January, 1887, the said Henry Cavendish Bentinck was guilty of the illegal practice of illegal payment in reference to the said Election, in respect of expenses on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of the said Election, which payment was made contrary to the provisions of "The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883," and prayed that it might be determined that the said Henry Cavendish Bentinck was disqualified to sit as a Member for the said Division, and that his election and seat might be declared void.
§ We report that, at the conclusion of the said trial, we determined that the said Henry Cavendish Bentinck is not disqualified to sit as a Member for the said Division, and we do hereby certify in writing such our determination to you.
§ Dated this 5th day of April, 1887.
§ C. E. POLLOCK.
§ J. F. STEPHEN.
§ And the said Certificate and Report were ordered to be entered in the Journals of this House.