THE WAITOTAKA PETITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1728, 6 December 1887, Page 2

THE WAITOTAKA PETITION.

Wanganui, December 5. Smiley, liveiy atablekeeper, swore he placed oaba at the diapoaal of the Committee without expectation of payment, and had ceoeived no payment for the use of the oaba. Owen McKlttrfck attested two algna. tares without aayone signing, and said ha might possibly have written the signatures of the alleged claimants himself. Evidence waa also called as to the charges of treating on polling day, and treating on days other than the polling day, which had previously been partly dealt with, A. 6, Pyemont, alleged to have been treated on polling day, admitted treating several acquaintances m the ordinary way on polling day. He sent a buggy for two or three voters. A man named Lee swore that Pyemont aeked himself and others to have a drink at the bar of a hotel, Walter Byrnes, J.P., Chairman of respondent's Committee, Waverley, Bhouted for friends after the meeting addressed by respondent and also on polling day; Alfred Bmlow, who acted as scrutineer for respondent m one of the polling booths, had reoeived no money . from respondent for hig Bervloea. Had never shown a pound note, saying It was from respondent for services on election day, ft Walter Syraea, J.P., farmer, was Chairman of respondent's Committee at Waverley. Was Chairman of the meeting addressed by respondent at Waverley. After the meeting went to the hotel and shouted for several friends. Might have treated people who were not Intimate friends during the election. Was at Waverley on polling day. Had no doubt he Bhouted for perhaps half a doz3n people m the afternoon. Kaew the man Gibson, who was Bcrntiueer for respondent at Waverley. The morning after the poll gave Gibson a cheque for a poand. Gibson said he was flyblown over the eleotlon. Witness owed Glbeon a shilling for stabling and drew a oheqae forgetting. Gibson repaid the pound borrowed about the beginning of November, Gibson was now m respondent's employ. Crossexamined— Gibson returned the pound borrowed without being asked for it. When Gibson waa appointed scrutineer he was distinctly told that he was not to get the slightest remuneration. Geo, Gibson, trainer, gave lengthy corroborative evidence In respect of borrowing £1 from the last witness and re* payment. Goorge Francis Sherwood, aged 20, said he did not sign a claim to vote. The claim to vote produced waß not signed by the witness. A, H. Lever said he signed the olalm to vote produced, but had not been six months In the district. Thomas ArmUago, under 21 ; had his name placed on the roll at his own request. Peter Gowland aigned an application to register before attaining the age of 21, though he was 21 previous to the polling day. D. M, Harris wa3 Secretary to the re* apondent's Committee at Patea, A letter was produoed from respondent In which respondent asked If Mr Ballance's meetiug at Patea had beon advertised j if not, instructing witness to advertise Ballanoe'a meeting at respondent's expense. Wanganui, December 6. After produoing two unimportant witnesses this morning, the petitioners olosed their case, Mr Travers asked the Court to deolde whether it was nooesjary they ohould call rebutting evidence on certain charges which he submitted were not corrupt praotices within the meaning of the Statute, suoh as treating after hours of polling, etc. Mr Bell admitted that he would probably abaudon the charge of conveying voters to the poll, paying a station hand a pound for expenses inourred m recording Mb vote, and promising to re-lnßtate Baldwin ao custodian of the Patea Hospital. Mr Tr avers intimated that he would pat respondent m the box. The Court deolded to hear argument on legal points at the close of the respondent's 3886. ■ • - George Hntohtoaon, respondent, sitting member f or WaUotaro, was then polled,:-?