THE HINE CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 188, 18 November 1910, Page 2

THE HINE CHARGES.

NEARING THE END. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. At the Hine enquiry this morning J. McCluggage, called by Sir Joseph Ward, said that he asked Sir Joseph Ward twice to speak at Stratford during last election campaign, and Sir Josepn Ward declined until the charge against Mr. Symes about a letter to witness aul receiving payments for petitions could be cleared up. The Hon. W. F. (Jarncross, M.C., gavt similar evidence. The Kaihau charges were then resumed, j Robert Kelly, post office clerk, produced Howmona's' bank-book, showing the withdrawal of £ls at Ngaruawahia on August 3, 1905, this being the only one that year. To Mr. Skerrett: There had subsequently been six other withdrawals of fifteen pounds each, all since 1908. Mr. Otterson, clerk of the House, testified to the presentation of the petitions mentioned in the charges. Keritoke te Ahu, who acted as agent for Mohi te Waru, produced a telegram from Kaihau, "Send me petition and money else too late." Witness sent under registered letter the petition and £ls, and produced the registration receipt.

Witness produced a telegram from Kaihau acknowledging the receipt of the petition and money, and another asking for £5, which was sent (registration receipt produced). Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, witness said that during last election he telegraphed to Mr. Ngata asking if petitions had to be' paid for. Mr. Ngata, replying, said it was wrong fo,r members of Parliameit to receive payment for presenting petitions. The witness said he intended contesting the Northern Maori District next election. Rewatu Hirioko and Kaahu Haatare deposed to paying £25 and £lO respectively to Kaihau for presenting petitions. Tekamanomano said that Kaihau gave him £lO towards the expenses of the Maori meeting, and £5 when witness's child died, witness promising to repaj. the money when able. When the petition in Manuaitu, Aotea South, was drawn up witnes gave Kaihau £lO to pay for search of the Court books. When witness was in Wellington in 1903 Kaihau paid witness's board for some weeks. This closed Mr, Bine's case against Kaihau. Mr. Myers mentioned that the only witness now to be called was Griffin, who will appear to-morrow in the Fla"xbourne charge. The committee adjourned till to-mor-row. HON. T. KENNEDY MacDONALD EXONERATED. Wellington, Yesterday. The committee appointed by the Legislative to enquire into the Hine charges against the Hon. Mr. Mac Donald brought up a report to-day. In effect the committee finds that the evidence discloses no violation of law or committal of breach of privilege.