EDEN ELECTION PETITION

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1923, Page 1

EDEN ELECTION PETITION

[by TEI.KOBAI'rr l*Elt I-lIEBS association] A UCK LAND, Fell. 2d Judges Husking si in 1 Stringer to-day

opened im iiK|iiir,v into the allegations

of corrupt or i I legal practices by the Finn C. J. Fan- or his agents during the Kden election campaign. tlie charges being brought in the Labour interests by -John Poole, of Mt Albert, petitioner, represented by Mr A. G.

(.(Hartley and .Mr ('. P. Skorrctt and Mr M. A. Johnston appeared for the

respondent. Mr Quartley said the petition referred to two particular events, but the events in connection with Avondale would not be proceeded with. Tint main charge was one of treating, although there were included charges ot bribery, and illegal purposes, and

treating within the meaning of the Act. The common law of Parliament required proof of corrupt intention. He intended to prove that treating look place, that it was done by Mr Parr aby his agent : and that it was intended to affect the election. Counsel then detailed the evidence he proposed to introduce. On November 3rd, five weeks before the poll Mr Parr, by advertisement, called all

prepared to assist him in his candidature to meet in the (.'leu Kden district. Fortv people were present, including Mr .Stephen!, who became chairman, and Mr Levy, wlm became secretary. Mr Levy explained that the ladies would provide strawberries and cream, invitations were issued and strawberries were ordered. On three different

occasions the convcrzat ioue took place, and. according to plan. Mr Shepherd introduced the candid;.ie and Mrs Parr was also present. After an address |,v Mr Parr, afternoon tea was order-

ed. and those who wanted straw berries and cream partook thereot. When challenged about the strawberries, the same evening. Mr Parr denied that they were paid for by him. Counsel proceeded to indicate tkv.l there was some trouble about who should [tay for the strawberries.

Judge Husking raised the question «' to whether counsel would not have Li prove agency. Mr (.(Hartley said il would be proved tl.at (Im eating took nlace with the knowledge of lbe candidate. Even though il may have taken place without his knowledge—the prosecution did no! admit that -if. by sending out invitation cards, signed by Mr Parr, the committee turned an innocent a,T;ur into an act against, the law, then Mm election was void. ! I! !■: STRAWBERRY DEALS.

Mr '.hun t lev submitted that evervJb : pointed tci t! i• tact Mint il was a meeting to win vole., pa: I icula rly in view of the subsequent attempt to eamouliage and to put all the strawberries into one account. John Asthury. ureliardisi. describing the meeting to which lie was invited

l,v Fry, 'aid the chairman (Shepperd) -aid that all present should go on tlm committee. Mr Parr >pokc concerning the election. Mrs Hill gave evidence that she uttondod a meeHug a week bclorc Hie conversazione, at Levy’s invitation. Shepperd staled Mr. Mrs and -Miss Parr were having a ladies meeting the following Saturday. The ladies could bring cakes and they would provide strawberries and cream. He hoped Mr Parr would get in. She was pretty sure Shepperd said "Parr is the man

vote for." Levy and Kricl.-mn were the only two men prcM'iit. Sim left the meeting early.

In reply to Mr Sfcorrett. witness >i\u\ n,jj(» did not know then* luul boon :i , ! i sci • s ii: i) the* hulu*" m* 4 n* \viiotl ilu-v provide -1 rawhorries Mini cream. IVrcv \\ ood said Percy l.ev.' >|iol*.c lo him' last November about supplying mnra berries "lor Mr Parr’s turn-out across tin' road." The goods were supplied by witness and 111' brother. lie rendered an account on dnmiary 11. and on February I'd he rendered an account lo -'ll'' Frickscii, oil the sngeeslion of Mr Rout ley. who ultimately paid him. William Quail rough gave evidence that Slieppertl asked him to tell his who to come to the conversazione and said: "We are doing it simply to pet the women together lor a friendly (•'ml. It has nothing to do with the election.” adding, "You can vote for whom von like! Witness said 0. bevy ashed him to order a crate of si rawherries iroin Dick Woods, and ' ■ did so. Dwyer had called at his house, hut he was out. , ... Diehard Woods said lie supplied one crate of strawberries, and say keyy in regard to the account, bevy said:— •Do not send the account to me. i cannot have anything to do with it. a* I Parr’s secretary, bevy let' him to send the account to Mrsecretary of the Social (.emimliec. Witness declared he also sent an account to bevy. Mr Skerrclt said no such account had been received.