ELECTION PETITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 278, 3 May 1915, Page 3

ELECTION PETITION.

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT. CASE FOR THE. DEFENCE. Kaikohe, May t. This morning John Jaccntho gave evidence of a conversation with Reed and several others at Peria. He could not remember that anything was said about Wilkinson standing down. Cross-examined by Sir John Findlay, lie said that Reed remarked that it would be worth ever so much to him if Wilkinson stood down. In nn interview with Samuels, lie (witness) informed the latter that if Wilkinson stood down his election expenses would be paid, he understood by a committee that was to be formed of Reed's supporters. He might have said something like "worth a great deal to Reed." In conversation with Endcan, lie (witness)■] might have said that Reed was to pay.

Auckland, May I. The petitioner's case has closed. Mr. Reed submitted that there was no evidence before the Court to warrant the Court holding proof of agency. Respecting Jacentho, very grave injustice could be done if casual words could be construed round very improbable conversations. lie submitted it was a clear case of a person acting on his own responsibility.

Kaikohe, Saturday Night. In the afternoon the Court decided not to. determine the question of the Jacentho agency as a preliminary question.

Mr. Reed, K.C., referred to a statement that the expenses of Lawry had been paid before he retired from the Parnell contest.

Sir John Findlay objected to the introduction of Parnell as containing a possible reflection on liim.

Mr. Reed assured the Court that the remark referred to another election, and he argued that the public regarded the payment of a retiring candidate's expenses as a general thing.. Sir J. Findlay pointed put the difference between such expenses being paid'l by another candidate. Evidence was given by the respondent, Vernon Herbert Reed, who stated that he always desired to see the Northern Peninsula represented in the Upper House. In 1013 he suggested to * the Prime Minister that Mr. J. C. Johnson ■ be appointed. The Premier entertained] the idea, but Johnson did not give a de- j finite reply. In June, 1013, Wilkinson's j name was mentioned. Mr. Mnssey told witness that he had received no defiu-! ite reply from Wilkinson as to the offer of a seat in the Upper House, and ask-1 ed witness to see Johnson with a. view! to getting a direct intimation from 1 Wilkinson, Johnson being at that time j a supporter of Wilkinson's. Witness suggested to Mr. Massey that-he (witness) i should propose to Johnson, alternative- j ly, that if Wilkinson wanted to contest the election witness would retire in I twelve months and leave the field to J him. Witness wanted a straight-out | contest with the Opposition candidate i on account of his attitude in the previous Parliament. Witness had been subjected" to adverse comment, and hi felt certain his action would receive confirmation by the electorate. He considered, it more important to him to receive' that endorsement than to continue in j polities. Witness saw Johnson, but ] made no reference to the word Ci'yinet. | Witness said nothing about assistance i from Wilkinson or giving him help at) the bye-election. ] A letter from Johnson to tlie Premier | was put in showing that en January' 27 Johnson suggested Wilkinson be appointed to the Council. Witness said he did not say at a meeting he was sure he could get Wilkinson a seat in the Council. He did not consider there was anything in the nature of a bribe in the appointment of Wilkinson to the Upper House, as he had full qualifications, and he took full responsibility fof"anything he had done in the matter. There never was the slightest suggestion that Wilkinson should be approached b.y Jacentho. He did not acquiesce in any suggestion that Jacentho was going to see Samuel. His (Reed's) supporters were thoroughly satified that Wilkinson was running in conjunction with Dr. Buck. He could not have said lie would see Jacentho again as he was leaving the district.