THE CHARGES OF BRIBERY AGAINST C.D. PITT.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 555, 29 March 1876, Page 4

THE CHARGES OF BRIBERY AGAINST C.D. PITT.

The Bay of Plenty Times contains a full report of the proceedings before the magistrate (Major Roberts, R.M.) on the charges of bribery against C. D. Pitt, who acted as agent of Captain Read in the late East Coast election. The New Zealand Herald publishes the following portions : The information in this case was as follows :—" That John Harris McCaw hath just cause to suspect, and doth suspect, that Cholwell Dean Pitt, of Poverty Bay, in the province of Auckland, gentleman, at Tauranga, in the province of Auckland, New Zealand, did, on or about the sth day of January, make a gift of money to one Fairfax Johnson, of Wairoa, near Tauranga, in the colony of New Zealand, in order to induce the said Fairfax Johnson to procure the votes of certain electors in favor of George Edward Read, at an election of a person to serve in the House of Representatives of New Zealand for the district of the East Coast." Fairfax Johnson deposed—l am a settler residing at the Wairoa, Tauranga. I remember the defendant C, Dean Pitt; I remember seeing Major Pitt about the 4th of January, on the Strand, Tauranga. I had some conversation with Major Pitt, and after salutation he asked me if 1 had promised my vote to anyone 1 I said no, but that I was on Captain Morris's committee. He said, why not vote for the old man, meaning Captain Read ? I asked him what was his figure ? He asked me what I would take 1 I told him if he would place £2O in my hands I would procure him all the votes I could? He said, I will give it to you. I saw him again on the day of the polling, the 6tb, about half-past ten in the morning. I met him on tne Strand, and asked him where he was going ? He replied, I am looking for you? We went together to Mr Read's committee room at the old Victoria Hotel, opposite the Court house. I then made out a list of the natives who bad promised me they would vote for Mr Read. Certain papers were made out for the voters. Immediately afterwards, Major Pitt and I went into the back room, and he handed me twenty £1 notes. It was an understood thing that the money was paid for my vote and influence. In the first instance, Major Pitt told me that if I would give my vote and use my influence, he would give me £2). My influence was to be used with the natives to cause them to vote for Captain Read. I did use my influence to cause the natives to vote for Captain Read. Immediately after I received the money, I took it to the natives and half-castes behind the redoubt, and gave nineteen of them £1 each. These natives were voters ; they were on the roll. I saw some of them go into the polling booth. In cross-examination by Mr Hesketh, the witness stated—ln giving my testimony, I merely do so to see justice done. lam giving this evidence, because I believe it will affect Captain Read's seat, and because I desire to affect it, as it was obtained through bribery. Mr Hesketh here asked whether in giving this evidence, the witness was seeking Hatisfaction or revenge for some injury done to him by Captain Read. Mr Rees objected to the question. The Court decided that the question must he answered, and the witness replied " Ye.V Mr Hesketh addressed the Court for the defence, contending that there was not sufficient evidence to allow the Court to put the prisoner on his triah No evidence was called for the defence, and the defendant having replied, in answer to the Court, that he had nothing to say, the Court gave the following judgment :—"That the charge now heard by the Court is one of chose which it is not a little difficult to decide upon, whether the Court ought to dismiss the charge or send it for trial. The Court is, however, of opinion that it is the importance of the investigation rather than the certainty of conviction which the Court has to consider, and the Court therefore rlecides the evidence adduced is insufficient to dismiss 'the accused, and he is therefore committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court."

A second information against the defendant for making a similar gift to one Hori

Ngatai, was then read, and the case pro ceeded with.

Hori Ngatai deposed—l know Major Pitt, the defendant. I remember landing with Enoka at Tauranga on the sth Jaauary. We both saw Major Pitt on that occasion. Major Pitt asked us to go up to Mr Read's committee room, and wo went up all together to the house formerly known as Victoria Hotel. Major Pitt said, when we got there, " Can't you influence any one to vote for Mr Read ?" We said, " Unless you give ua some money, we cannot influence any one." Major Pitt agreed to give us something. I requested him to give the money at once. He said—- " How much shall I give you?" I told him to give £26 ; he consented to give me £25. The reason the money was given to me was to influence the votes of the natives in Mr Head's favour. The money was not for us, but we were to distribute it amongst the natives ; we were to receive £4. I received the money there, and Enoka was present when I received it. I influenced the natives ; I gave them the money after they had voted. I told them to vote on behalf of Major Pitt, which really meant Mr Read. Major Pitt agreed to give me £25 if I could get fifty votes. If I only got thirty, I was to return £9 to Major Pitt, and the £l6 was to be given to the voters. I returned him the £9, and he afterwards gave Enoka and myself £4. I remember the day of their coming to vote. I arranged for my people to go in and vote, The place was quite full. Major Pitt was outside. Major Pitt told me to go and record my vote at once, or it would be too late. This was on Thursday, the 6th of January. Several other witnesses were examined. No evidence was called on the part of the defence, and the defendant declining to say anything when asked if he wished to do so by the Court, the Court gave judgment as in the previous case, and committed the prisoner to take his trial at the Supreme Court. Bail was accepted ; the defendant being bound in a sum of £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each in each case.