MOTUEKA ELECTION COMMITTEE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 218, 14 September 1871, Page 2

MOTUEKA ELECTION COMMITTEE.

The Motueka Election Committee met on Monday and proceeded with the evidence on the personation allegation. They examined three witnesses, and at half-past 1 o'clock the room waa#leared in order to allow .them to discuss whether there was any case to answer brnqt. On the doors, being again opened, the Chairman stated that the Committee had come to the conclusion that bribery on ; the fpart of Sir David Monro or his agents had ; not been used. "With reference to the alleged,.personation, the (Committee considered them so far proved as far as Hagen and Tomlinson were concerned^, as to require the other side to call rebutting evidence. A priraa facie case had been made out, which called for a reply. Mr. Allan said that in that case he ( must ass^ was proved, unless evidence to, thej! contrary war brought. The Chairman* repeate^hftt |he^mmUte(BjConcluded there was a pfima facie oaße mtfde out that re-

quired to bev^&njjnrered. Mr. Travers drew attwitioipj frd\the prayer of the, peUtioDprji whi^i.|%aß to the .effect thj»t§ Sif|pa|i^JfpDro^be ' unseated, and Mjj.f Paffe"er } B^ameVe.-sabßtituted in the wni.^ Hie said that he was prepared to show that persons had voted irregularly for the petitioner, Mr. Parker, and had been allowed to ypte 'after 4 o'clock, the r timeiof^ the poll closing. He held in his hand a declaration to that effect made by the Deputy-Returning. Officer ntj the Lower Moutere. If, therefore, the petitioner was entitled to strike off names, he on behalf of the sitting member, 'claimed the same privilege. Mr. Allan, on behalf of Mr. Parker, said if recrimination was permitted he .should have had notice of it. The Chairman asked how he could, expect notice till the other side knew whether the petitioner could prove his case, or, in fact, what case he was ;going to bring forward. Mr. Travers said that he had given the other side notice that he should object to the vote of Joseph Stephen Stanes, Motueka, freeholder, being admitted, as he ' voted after the time allotted for the poll to be taken had elapsed. The Committee then adjourned until the following morning, when it met at eleven, and sat until half-past one. The room was cleared no less than three times, but little advance was made in the business. It was proved on behalf of the sitting member that one vote was given after four o'clock to the petitioner, the time prescribed by the act for closing ihe poll, and Mr. Travers argued that this vote was invalid. Mr. Allan, on the other side, contended that as the poll was kept open by the duly authorised officer, the vote was good, to which Mr. Travers replied that if that ruling was admitted, if the Deputy Returning Officer was justified in keeping open the poll one minute beyond the appointed time, he was justified in keeping it open till six o'clock, or the next morning in fact. After some further discussion, the committee, without coming to any decision, or expressing any opinion, adjourned till the 18th iDst. This was done at the request of Mr. Travers, in order to allow him to get witnesses from Motueka. The Chairman will sit pro forma day by day, in order to fulfil the requirements of the act, but no further evidence will betaken, or business done, till the above date.