HC Deb 31 January 1893 vol 8 cc56-7

The Corrupt Practices Prevention Acts, 1854 to 1883.

To the Right Honorable the Speaker of the

House of Commons.

We, the undersigned Judges 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 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th days of December 1892, we duly held a Court at the Guildhall in the city of Rochester, in the county of Kent, for the trial of and did try the Election Petition for the said city or borough of Rochester, in the said county, between Alfred Barry and Charles John Saxby Varrall, Petitioners, and Horatio David Davies, Respondent.

And, in further pursuance of the said Acts, at the conclusion of the said trial, we determined that the said Horatio David Davies, being the member whose Election and Return were complained of, was not duly elected or returned, and that the election was void on the ground that he was by his agents guilty of corrupt and illegal practices, and we do hereby certify such our determination to you.

And, whereas charges were made of corrupt and illegal practices having been committed at the said Election, we, in further pursuance of the said Acts, report as follows:—

  1. (a.) That no corrupt or illegal practice was proved to have been committed by or with the consent or knowledge of any candidate at such election.
  2. (b.) That the following persons were proved at the trial to have been guilty of the corrupt practice of treating, namely:— William Constable of High Street, Rochester, Fishmonger. William Boucher of High Street, Rochester, Butcher.
  3. (c.) That it was proved at the trial that Frederick William Walter, the Election Agent of the Respondent, was guilty of illegal practices.
  4. (d.) That facts were proved before us which preclude our reporting that we have no reason to believe corrupt or illegal practices prevailed at the Election, but these facts were not such as would support a report that corrupt or illegal practices have, or that there is reason to believe that corrupt or illegal practices have extensively. prevailed at the Election.

We have given Certificates of Indemnity to the said William Constable, the said William Boucher, and the said Frederick William Walton.

Dated this 16th day of December 1892.

LEWIS WM. CAVE.

ROLAND L. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS.