Western Maori Seat.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1923, Page 1

Western Maori Seat.

PETITION AGAINST ROM ARE. fllY rr.I.KC HATH i’KC. Ct; JESS ASSOCIATION TACRANGA, March 8 The evidence of Itangi Afa ni nut n was continued. He was further crossexamined by Mr Mvers concerning the grant of £2. Witness denied askin' for money from Dr Pomare, who thci said witness could have anything up tc £2O. Witness did not agree with Ro mare’s native policy. He then wrote and told him that he would not support him. Dr Pomare told him to d< what lie liked with witnesses dishonoured cheques which lie would. Further evidence was also called regarding the reemployment of men m the railway works at Matapiho, or lines of the evidence given yesterday. Regarding the charge that native were supplied with liquor during I o mare’s meeting at Muirs gold mine near Tepuke, Tawhiwihi Ngatai stall* lie remembered the meeting. AA her he went into the kitchen ol Muir > house about 2(1 men were there. Il< was invited to have a drink and hm whisky neat. A few minutes later tin meeting was hold outside. Alter tin speeches more whisky "’as supplied Then Tait who was not sober, made ; speech and said all present would sup port Pomare. As Pomare left, Hv natives danced a liaka, hut speakim. lor himself, witness said he danced in a result of feeling happy from tin whisky not in honour of Romaic. At it no.-.s made a statement later of tin oivurreiH to one. Winiata. when oi holidav li-.im Muir’s, but he did not re turn m his job, fearing the sack fo making tlv st::!cmeut. hut that wn oiilv his imagination. IVi a ! larnwira gave corroborativ evidence. AVESTERN MAORI SEAT. TACRANGA. March 8. Regarding the charge of drinking ii the Star Hotel. Taurnnga. on tiny da; of the election. Tawhiwhi Ngatai salt lie came in a motor car. and after vot ing. he and others purchased drinks a the Star Hotel. They had several dining the. day. He tried other hotels hut failed. A native woman testified that saw ihrci. Maori men coining nut of lie S' a r Motel, ami talked with two o Ihoic. who had apparently been drink ing. I'u'ihcr • viden'e "as adiim-dl regard ing (mi tips of he”r or stout taken i< •i hpu.-f at Aialapilii and there ioii-iiim I,| One native linide a - pceeli a I Mat > ll ihi vailing upon a few present l, vote for Pomare. and asked his hear os; “If veil could get a ten horsi powei and a ihrcc al the same pm-. \-. hi,-h would von : nun, t have The evidence generally wt;« tediom aloi uninU resting. Witnesses from Rataiia evidenced hat tln-v were asked by an assistant at the Turakina hooth to vote for a pai-i iaula r eandiila le. There was no booth at Ralaua where 120 of the natives v. -re of Anting age. and ail had on Pirac mills in the nearest booth i: Turakina. Tlie oi oprletoi- ad barman oi t h.e Si a i Hotel. Taurnnga. et uletca-d .that u , liquor was -oh! in (lie hotel to native on polling Jay. and declar-.-d that n h M-.ilivi>' swore ii "as. that was false.