HC Deb 13 June 1893 vol 13 c883
* MR. SPEAKER

informed the House, That he had received from the Judges appointed to try the Several Election Petitions, the following Certificate and Report relating to the Election for the Borough of Pontefract:—

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 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th days of June 1893, at the West Riding Court House in the borough of Pontefract, in the West Riding of the county of York, we duly held a Court for the trial of and did try the Election Petition for the borough of Pontefract, in the West Riding of the county of York, between John Shaw, Petitioner, and Harold James Reckitt, Respondent.

And, in further pursuance of the said Acts, we report that at the conclusion of the said trial we determined that the said Harold James Reckitt, being the Member whose Election and Return were complained of in the said Petition, was not duly elected and returned for the said borough.

And we do hereby certify in writing 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 knowledge or consent of any candidate at such Election.
  2. (b.) That the following persons were proved at the said trial to have been guilty of the corrupt practice of bribery:—

Person bribed Person by whom the said voter was bribed.
A voter named Samuel Whittington (a Moulder), of 46, Orchard Street, Masborough. Benjamin Draper (a Pottery Packer), of Ferry bridge.

(c.) That there is no reason, upon the evidence before us, to believe that corrupt practices have extensively prevailed at the Election for the borough of Pontefract to which the said Petition relates.

We have given Certificates of Indemnity to said Samuel Whittington and to the said Benjamin Draper.

Dated this 12th day of June 1893. H. HAWKINS.LEWIS CAVE.
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