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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 185, 17 July 1884, Page 2

The whole of the proceedings in the R.M. Court yesterday in the case Rees r. Locke (Bribery and Corruption) up to the evening adjournment were of an unusually prosy nature. The Court was crowded in every corner, and Captain Porter, Mr. H.E. Kenny and later on Captain Tucker, occupied a seat on the Bench. On the re- assembling of the Court at 7 p.m., an engagement took place between Mr. Rees and Mr, Brassey (Counsel for Mr. Locke.) The former persisted in asking a witness as to some private business arrangement between himself and Mr. Locke, when Mr. Brassey strongly objected to the question. A warm argument ensued during which Mr. Brassey remarked that “ If that is law I had better give it up altogether.” Mr Rees : “ I think so too as you don’t seem to know much about it.” Mr. Brassey : “ A little more than you do. I hope you will finish as well as we shall.” Shortly afterwards Mr. Greenwood became so confused by the volubility and rapidity of Mr. Rees in questioning the witness that he exclaimed “ I really don’t know what to put down I ” which caused much amusement. The most dry and amusing witness of the day was Mr. George Mayo, who previous to entering the box wished to know who was to pay him his expenses, as he had been brought upwards of seventy-five miles. On being told that he was compelled to give evidence, he reluctantly got into the box, with the intimation that he was “ a very nervous man,” and hoped that Mr. Rees would not repeat his questions in such a stentorian manner. On being asked whether Mr. Locke had many more disinterested friends like him in the Wairoa, lie quickly replied, “ you can easily tell by the’number of votes you got I” This retort was received with roars of laughter. Again, on being asked whether he shouted after Mr. Locke’s meeting at the Wairoa, much amusement was caused by the reply, “ Most likely; I shouted after all the meetings. I shouted after your meeting to the extent of the thirty shillings I got from you, and I shouted after Gannon’s meeting. I shouted all Gannon’s cheque.” The examination of this witness closed the night’s proceedings. There were still twentytwo witnesses to be examined when the Court rose. On the resumption of the case this morning Capt. Ferris was again re-examined by Mr. Rees, and produced his diary, but the only material entry in the same related to Mr. Whitcombe’s (Mr, Rees’ agent) having shouted for and treated several “ Reesites ” at Ormond. The case is still slowly progressing as we go to press, and the prevailing opinion is that “ there is nothing in it.”