BRIBE OR NO BRIBE?

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 711, 20 July 1878, Page 2

BRIBE OR NO BRIBE?

A correspondent in our morning contemporary's issue of this morning has endeavored to cast ridicule upon the statement we made in our last evening's issue that one of Mr. Steward's canvassers had offered a pound-note as a bribe to a ratepayer. It is not to the interest of the public that such a weighty matter should be treated so lightly. For this reason, and because the authority for "iir statement has be-in doubted, we now fulfil the promise we made last evening, and publish full paniculars. The ratepayer to whom the bribe was offered is Mr. Joseph Williams, and the ratepayer that offered the bribe, is Mr. HenryTempcro. (OTempero/O hj!) This i.s how tin- afi'iir occurred :—Mr. Temporo met Mr "Williams opposite the Bank of Hew Zealand, and said, " I am appointed to speak to you to vote for Steward."

Mr. IVilliams : " I am on the other track, so that it is no use your talking to me." Subsequently the two ratepayers met again near Mr. Headland's residence in Wansbeekstreet, wh-.-ii, in :he presence of Mr. S. Burns, and Mr. I). Heron, the money was ofl'.-red to Mr, Williams by Mr. Tompero.

The b- fore-mentioned bystanders thereuiion remarked, " He is only joking." Mr. Temper.) : No, lam not. Here is the pound, with all my heart.

The bystanders said : "You can take the note and vote tor whom you like afterwards. "

Mr. Tempero : "No. If he takes the note I am eo:iL':!e:;t that he will vote for Steward."

Mr. "Williams said, "No. I don't think that right," and walked away.

I hereby certify to the correctness of the above, and bear testimony to the seriousness of the would-be donor. JOSEPH WILLIAMS.