Wellington, May 7 NZPA - The High Court has dismissed a petition which challenged the election of National Party candidate Amy Adams in the Selwyn electorate at last year's general election, Parliament was told today.

The petitioner, Roger Payne, attempted to gain the party's nomination for the seat but was rejected.

His petition accused the National Party of corrupt practice in the way it selected its election candidates.

Speaker Lockwood Smith announced in Parliament today that no grounds had been established to question the lawfulness of Ms Adams election and that the petition had therefore been dismissed.

Chief High Court Judge Tony Randerson, Judge Christine French and Judge Christopher Allan heard the case in Christchurch.

Under a condition of the Electoral Act they gave Dr Smith a certificate regarding the general election result in Selwyn.

Ms Adams welcomed the decision.

The petition did not allege that she was involved in any unlawful activities, but she was named as first respondent in order to meet the requirements for an electoral petition.

"While I was confident that the case would not succeed in removing me as MP for Selwyn, the case has taken a great deal of time which I would rather have spent with my constituents," Ms Adams said.

"I'm really pleased it's out of the way."

NZPA PAR pw kn