§ MR. SPEAKERinformed the House that he had received the following communication from the Judges appointed to try the York Election Petition:—
§ In the High Court of Justice.—Queen's Bench Division.
§ The Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868.
§ The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Acts, 1883 and 1895.
512§ To the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons.
§ Election for the Borough of York, holden on the 13th day of January, 1898.
§ Sir CHRISTOPHER FURNESS, Petitioner.
§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD, M.P., Respondent.
§ We, the Honourable Mr. Justice Mathew and the Honourable Mr. Justice Grantham, two of the Judges of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, selected to be placed on the rota of Judges for the trial of Parliamentary Election Petitions in England and Wales for the year ending the 24th day of October, 1898.
§ Do hereby Report, that an application for liberty to withdraw this Petition was heard before us in open Court on the 5th day of May, 1898. Having heard Counsel on both sides, and read the Affidavits sworn by the respective parties to this Petition, and others, pursuant to the Statute, we ordered that the Petitioner should have leave to withdraw his Petition.
§ We further Report, that in our opinion the withdrawal of this Petition was not the result of any agreement, terms, or undertaking, or in consideration of any payment, or in consideration that the seat should at any time be vacated, or in consideration of the withdrawal of any other Election Petition, or for any other consideration.
§ Dated this 5th day of May, 1898.
§ WM. GRANTHAM.
§ J. C. MATHEW.