ELECTORAL ENQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 848, 24 March 1903, Page 2

ELECTORAL ENQUIRY.

.THE (VARIOUS MISTAKES.

Per Press AUCKLAND, last night

At the King inquiry to-day, Edward Ross Campbell deposed to repeated efforts to get his name on the city; roll, his third application being put in by Mr Donne’s direction. His name did not appear on the roll,' Electoral forms signed by witness, produced in Court, were marked by the Registrar, “ Not satisfied ; reject.” Witness prosecuted King, and the ease was dismissed, but was now under appeal. Air Reid, solicitor, said that the case of wrongful intent on the part of the Registrar had to be proved.; Dealing witii the list of names alleged to have been wrongfully expunged from the Grey Lynn and City rolls, King gave explanations in several cases-, with the view of justification of his action, but admitted that a mistake had occurred in omission from the Grey Lynn roll of the name of Wilfred Cooper, secretary of the Prohibition parly, Oxford street. The error probably occurred through there being an Oxford street in the City.

Later.—The Electoral Commission continued its enquiry into charges against the Registrar of Electors (Air King) to-day, when two further witnesses gave evidence as to failing to get oil the City roll after, making application at the time that roll was compiled. Lists of names alleged to have been wrongfully expunged from the Grey Lynn and City rolls were gone through. Mr King produced papers in the majority of the cases, and in many instances it was shown that the names had been expunged owing to the electors having been transferred on their own application to other districts, whilst in other eases the reason given was that of duplication. The list af names on whose behalf the temperance party had put in claims for the City was also partially examined. Air King stated the causes of rejection, the reason in most instances being that persons were already on the roll they desired to be put on, or on another roll. •„

The Commission will sit again tomorrow. WJ

—At an earlier stage) of the enquiry, at) the suggestion of Mr I-laselden, it was decided that Mr King .should write beside each name in the list furnished by Mr Reed the reason why the claim was rejected, and return the list to Mr Reed, who could say whether or not he was satisfied. The list of names which it was alleged should have been transferred from the City to Grey Lynn was then proceeded with. The first ot these Mr King showed to be oil the City roll. Mr Reed then said that lie submit-

ted that under sub-section 3 of section 75 of the Electoral Act it was

the registrar's duty to put on the Grey Lynn roll without any application from the electors, persons resident within the new electorate and omit their names from the roll on which they had previously appeared. If by accident any name was omitted he contended that when the attention of the registrar was drawn to the omission in any form whatever they should have been transferred. Mr llaselden asked when was the registrar instructed to prepare the new rolls. ...

Mf King said that they were in progress from the beginning of 1902. Tlie separation of Grey Lynn was made in August, 1902. The list next dealt with was that

of electors who appeared on both (lie City and Grey Lynn rolls. A list of about ninety names was hand-

ed in, and a short discussion followed, during the course of which Mr King stated that he had not yet had time to produce the claims of the

electors', in order <o ascertain whether they were transfers or original claims. He was inclined to think that they were claims for enrolment and had he kept them lie might have done an injustice to electors. Mr Reed : That is just what we say lias been done.™ —Mr Haselden : There seems 1 o be a hot and cold water tap in each engine.

.'i iie Chairman asked when the dup-

lications were discovered. Mr Spedding said when the main roii was issued. They did not tell Tiie examination on this list was shown to Mr King by other parties. Mr Fowlds said that the list was Mr King of the errors. not proceeded with. —Mr King concluded by asking if Messrs McDonald, Muir, Hare, and attempting to stuff the Grey Lynn Harle had not been instrumental in roll. ...

Witness answered, emphatically, “ No.” His sole object was to secure electors their rights as citizens. Mr Reed suggested that if Mr King ban any names on which Mr Spedding had stuffed the rolls, he should ask him about it at once.

Mr King said that when he wanted Mr Reed’s advice he would send him a retaining fee. Mr Haselden suggested (hat all the applications to he put on Grey Lynn •mix when the applicant was already - ” Oily roll might be called roll on the . - wj UJ r j or they might stuffing by Mr ... . lead to personation. ln reply to the Chairman, Mr ding stated that the names m the list of persons on both rolls included all that could he discovered, irrespective of party* m