The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-13 00:00:00

REIGATE.

The committee appointed to try the merits of the peti- i
tion of John Newman Harrison and others against the re-
turn of Mr. Granville Wm. Gresham Leveson Gower, on
the ground of bribery, treating, and undue influence, met
this morning at eleven o'clock. The committee consists of
Mr. Hussey Vivian (chairman), Mr. K Akroyd, the Hon.
H. R. Dutton, Mr. E. B. Hartopp, and Mr. John Peel
(Tamworth).
Counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Serjeant Ballantine,
Mr. Biron, and Mr. J. Whevritt ; for the sitting mem-
ber, Mr. Karalake Mr. John Clark, and Mr. H. James.
Mr. Serjeant Ballantine, in opening the case, said the
constituency was a liberal one, and both candidates at the
last election were of that party. He sketched the parlia-
mentary history of the borough, stating that it being
felt it was undesirable there should be contests between
liberals, some communications took place between the
candidates, and Mr. Gower communicated to his agent his
intention not to stand again, and at a publicmeeting held in
the town on the 29th Sept., 1864, Mr. Gower declared
positively his intention never again to stand for the
representation of Reigate. In May, 1865, however, Mr.
Wilkinson, one of the candidates, died, and then Mr.
Gower withdrew from his engagement. His view
was that his arrangement was personally with
Mr. Wilkinson, and that when that gentleman
died he was released from his engagement. This, how-
ever, was not the general understanding in Reigate, and
the consequence was that Mr. Gower could not have se-
cured his election without undue means. There were 30
public-houses open, and a good deal of treating, but that
was not the burden of the case. He should show that the
following person., were employed by Mr. Smith, the agent of
the sitting member—Job Heath Apted, A. Buckland, Fr .W.k.
Joys, Rose, Henry Durrant, and Henry Green. He should
show that with the exception of Durrant each of these
persons received 501., and Durrant 251. ; this payment
being made to them under the guise of paid canvassers.
He should also show that a number of men were em-
ployed nominally to keep the peace, but whom Mr.
Smith designated as his " forty-nine roughs." He
should likewise show that 150 persons were bribed
with sums of money, or promises of certain sums
of money. The tariff was not high at Reigate and
it did not appear that any larger sum than N. was paid or
' promised. It appeared, however, that in many cases the
promises were not fulfilled, and hence there was great die-
' satisfaction. The learned counsel then stated two cases
in which he said he should be able to prove bribery.
The following witnesses were then called.
Mr. Clan JamesGrecere,the russixtantof the town clerk of
Reigate, said he assisted the returning officer during the
election. He produced the poll-books.
Mr. Kerslake objected to the documents being received
'from this witness, and contended that they ought to be
produced by the returning officer, that being required by
the statute.
Serjeant Ballantine submitted that all that was re
quired was that proof should be given of the identity of the
document..

The committee decided that the production of the docu-
ments by the town clerk acting for the returning officer
was sufficient.

The witness then produced the account of expenses of
the sitting member which had been sent to the returniog
officer. They amounted to 1,3561. 9s. Id.
John Bailey deposed that he was formerly a publican
residing at Reigate. Voted for Mr. Gower. Received
nothing for his vote. Thomas Henry Baines did not re-
, wive anything frau him.
[Lett sitting.]

Nawamsa Plass Fu nn.—We learn that, in
consequence of the celebration of her Majesty's birthday
having been fixed for the 26th May, the annual dinner of
the Newspaper Press Fund, at which Earl Granville will
preside, has been postponed from that day till Saturday,
the 9th of June.

Mrs. Keble was so ill at Bournemouth when her
husband's corpse was about to be taken away for inter-
ment at Horsley that she pathetically requested that his
grave should not be closed until she was laid in it.
The new work of M. Renan, " Les Apotree," is
announced to be on sale to-day in Paris. It treats of
the development of Christianity from the year 33
to 45. Some of the Paris journals contain en-
treats from the work, which is described to be even
superior to the Vie dr Jenu. The hideposdasoe Beige
says that the Archbishop of Paris paid a visit to IL de
Preseence, the protestant minister, and thanked him for
the reply which he published to the latter work.
Eros Cou.aos.—The Raster vacation will termi-
nate on Wednesday next, the 18th inst., with the return
of the lower boys. The *4th and sixth forms will follow
on Thursday and Friday, the 19th and 20th inst., when
the whole of the scholars will have assembled.