TEE AUCKLAND BRIBERY CASS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 4, 4 October 1879, Page 3

TEE AUCKLAND BRIBERY CASS.

At the Auckland Rjsid mi. Magistrate s Court, ou Thursday, Thomas Machitte, cliairman of Dr. Wallis’ Central Committee, was charged by Joseph Newman with giving or having caused to have been given on the day of polling for the City West, refreshments to the electors, whereby the said Joseph Newman sought to recover the sum of 40s. Messrs. Heakoth and Tyler appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Cooper for the defendant, and gave a denial of eveiything that the plaintiff alleged. Mr. Tyler opened the case, and called Richard Salter, librarian of the Young Men’s Christian Association Rooms, who desposed that the refreshments consisted of ham and bread, cheese, coffee, and lemonade. Machitte, said they must have some beer, and a lad obtained it. The beer bill amounted to £2 lls. No beer went into Mr. Hurst’s room, only sandwiches and coffee. The committee of the Young Men’s Christian Associati n disapproved of beer, and would not let the rooms to candidates in future. The beer provided disappeared with wonderful rapidity. Newman's refreshment room was conducted on temperance principles of sandwiches and coffee only. Machitte deposed that he helped to return Dr. Wallis. He objected to say whether he was an agent, and also declined to convict himself. Ho had no authority to act as agent for him, but acted as agent at the election. Ho ordered beer, but did not consult Dr. Wallis. Ho had some beer paid for by Dr. Wallis, but could not say whether the beer was on the bill. He He did not ask Mr. Hurst to pay half the accoutn. He hinted to Brooking, Mr. Hurst’s agent, that Mr. Hurst might pay his share of the expenses, including the beer on the day previous to the election. Those who took refreshments did so without authority. James Campbell, the porter, deposed that he went into Messrs. Wallis and Hurst’s Committee rooms after voting. He tried the can and got one glass, but no more. He helped himself.