The hearing of the East Dorset election petition has been
continued during the week. Evidence was given on behalf of the petitioners to show that the allotment-holders on the Canford estate, after being given notice to quit in November, 1907, were allowed by Lady Wimborne, in the summer of 1903, to retain their allotments for a fixed period of seven years, and that Captain Guest had been addressing political meetings during the time the allotment question was under discussion. It was also shown that the purchaser of a plot of land on the same estate in September, 1909, was allowed an abatement after an interview with Captain Guest. Evidence was also given of bribery on the polling-day by a man who was alleged to have canvassed with Lady Wim- borne and Captain Guest. It was also alleged that Captain Guest had sfltieribed to slate clubs ; that a bricklayer employed on the estate had been dismissed and a tenant ejected for their political views ; that plots of land were offered for sale in July, 1909, at leas than the market price (this charge was withdrawn on Thursday) ; and that items bad been omitted from the return of Captain Guest's expenses. On the other hand, the cross-examination of the witnesses was directed to prove that a prominent Conservative had expressed his contentment with the treat- ment of the allotment-holders ; that the concessions to purchasers were free from political motive; that the chief witness who alleged bribery had been four times convicted for various offences ; that the former Unionist candidate bad subscribed to a slate club; and that a pamphlet, the cost of which was omitted from Captain Guest's return of expenses, was printed in reply to a scurrilous article on his family in a local paper.
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