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THE WAITOTARA PETITION.

Wasgakoi, Decomber 2. Tho bribery charges were resumed this taorning. Hurdo McLean stated that be met the respondent on the day of tho declaration of the poll, and asked him for money to GOver expenses incurred m travelling a distance to vote at the election • Tho respondent gave witness a sovereign, and the latter remarked, " Will pay you back come day," aa though witaesß borrowed the money, although he did not expect to bare to repay it. Would have repaid it if he had peen called upon to do ho. In cross examination it was brought out that at interviews with different people subsequently had said that expenses would be fully paid if he gave evidence m the present oaae ; that fifty or a hundred pounds would not btand m any way m securing his evidence for petitioner Did not say that fifty or a hundred pounds would be paid him if he would swear that he had been bribed by respondent, but might have said that he would be well Eaid to swear that the old others that c had borrowed this pound, and that fools were now trying to make something out of it ,* and that the Bryce party had got hold of a cock-and bull Btory about the pound. Would not say that he did sot say last Sunday that he would give evidence for whichever side paid most money for evidence. Harrison's was the next oase Investigated m reference to a promise alleged to have been made by an agent of the respondent that a certain old claim by Lloyd and Smith against respondent for bash falling, and whloh had been previously settled, shonld be re opened. Henry Mann, the alleged agent, eaid he saw Lloyd and Smith, who spake about the old olftlm. Told them they should not make respondent suffer for an Injustice to them pOßted by bia manager, and said he would speak to Mason, who was one of respondent's election agents. The latter laid he could see nothing In the matter. Wllllim Smith, one of the men with the claim against respondent, said the previous witness asked him If it would be ell right If the old claim were stopped. Told htm the vote would be all right. Saw respondent on polling day, who said he did sot think they had been treated fairly. Witness said he did not think hU mate wonld rote for respondent unless the dispute weraolearedap, and the difference paid, Bespondent replied: ''Tell your mate that I say Mason is to see the matter rectified." The cross-examination brought out that at this Interview respondent said he could promise nothing m the matter without referring to the Manager, bat ha wished to treat them fairly. Mason, one of the respondents and a prominent supporter, afterwards said the matter was all right and would be again referred to arbitration, but nothing came of the matter. John Lloyd, another mate, gave evidence as to the particulars of the buahf ailing contract and the die pate with respondent's manager, also In reference to Mann's interview with the party m the bush. . Mason told witness the matter would be referred to arbitration, bat he never expected anything wonld come of it, as It had been determined by arbitration previously. The agreement with Mason did not affect his Tote. He was promised nothing. Mann, Mulled by Mr TravoTS, said he had never told Smith that the dispute would be all right if he voted for respondent, and he never had asy authority from respondent to mike snch a promise. John William Thurston, farmer, acted as arbitrator m the old dispute between Smith and Lloyd and respondent. The day after the election, Smith, one of the claimants, waited on witness with reference to a second arbitration, but nothing came of the matter. The cross examination brought out that witness had become possessed of documents given by respondent to a man named Bright, promising the latter possession of a certain lection In the township of Waverley for two years if he fenced it, by making Bright think he (witness) desired to purchase tho sections. Witness sent the document to petitioner's oounsel. It was not altogether a trick to gain possession of the document m the interest of the petitioner. Henry Fredetick Mason, oommisßton •gent, Waverley, assisted In placing about 40 names on the Waltotara roll. He wonld not sweat that he had not taken persons to a publlo house before or after obtaining their signatures to the claims to vote, as secretary of respondent's com* mtttee. Walter Sy a. es w»» chairman. Remembered the lunch at Jacob's hotel on nomination day to 30 or 40 eleotors. On Soiling day had not more than 5s or 6s m is pocket, and the ecore against him at two hotels waa for drinks obtained during the evening and afternoon. Had been warned by respondent not to ran up any drinks during the day, but to pay cash. Had not received any money from anyone In connection with the election. Paid all travelling expenses out of his own pocket. Occupied a ferm at Waverley, which was ■tocked with one cow at present. One farm was given witness by Murdoch, respondent's manager, about two months •go. He had a cow on trial, and was to buy It if the cow suited, or he could return the animal. Bespondent Bent him a letter cf instruction for uae on polling day; McLean told witness Davidson O ameron had been to him about a pound ■aid to bare been given him by respondent, but told him (t was no business cf anyone if be borrowed a pound from respondent. McLean also tald that he had been offered £50 or £100 if be would say that he had received this pound as a briba. He made Smith and Lloyd no promlee about compensation over the bush-falling dispute. Thomas Ellis, hotelkeeper, Waverley, produced books showing Mason was charged with Id 6d for drinks on polling day. The Court then adjourned. Wanganui, December 3. On the Bryco-flatchlson petition case being resumed this morning, the chargo of treating on the following day was taken. Peter Hogg, draper, Wanganui, and brother-in-law of the respondent, admitted being an agent for respondent for election purposes at Turaklna, and the Agency was admitted by . the counsel for respondent — agency, that is, for lawful purposes. Witness was at Turaklna on polling day, but only remembered shoutIng for three or four friends during the hours of polling. Had no roll o! notes on the following day, Only had two pounds and some silver. Paid two pounds away for a debt owed after midnight on. polling day. ptrsw a cheque for two poundi and [paid 10 j. When drinking galled for whiskey, but by a previous arrangement wae supplied with lime juice. This was not arranged m anticipation of a heavy day's drinking, but because, the Toiakjjtt^ pepple expected one to drink wtyifcey, otherwise he would gala a reputation for not keeping up to time.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18871203.2.19

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 3 December 1887, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,173

THE WAITOTARA PETITION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 3 December 1887, Page 3

THE WAITOTARA PETITION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 3 December 1887, Page 3

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