ELECTION PETITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9821, 14 March 1923, Page 6

ELECTION PETITION

S!R M. POM ARE'S SEAT.

FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 13 Evidence for the petitioner m the election petition against . the w ret “™ of Sir Maui Pomare tor the M estein Maori constituency, the hearing of which was adjourned from iauranga, was resumed at the Auckland Su-

nreine Court. . . ~, „ Mr'Skerrett, for petitioner, said he abandoned general charges that drmn was supplied at all booths with exception of Thames booth. Dealing with another point, counsel said he had been instructed that throughout the whole electorate, m consequence of a departmental instruction, the counterfoils of ballot papers’ were never detached. u Mr Justice Hoskmg: That would

apply to all candidates. Mr Myers: And to Maori elections. Mr Skerrett: But our submission is that this was not an election conducted on the principle ot the Ballot Act, and therefore once that is established the election is void. Dealing with the secrecy ot the ballot, Mr Justice Stringer remarked that the regulations for Maori elections seemed to be contrary to the principle of secrecy, because the ballot paper contained both the name or the elector and of the candidate support--0(J Mr Justice Hosking said that in the

case of Maoris one elector at a time entered the booth, whereas in ituiopean elections more than one could enter at the same time. Mr Myers pointed out that there were no electoral rolls and no ballot boxelj were used. Mr Justice Hosking: That certainly involves knowledge by two officials m the booth as to how a Native voted. Mr Skerrett: If the counterfoil was not detached the scrutineer would also see how the elector voted. Mr Justice Hosking: Has the election been conducted differently from previous elections ? Mr Skerrett; I do not know.

Mr Myers: Yes. . , . . Mr Skerrett: That is immaterial. Mr Justice Hosking: I do not know tll ltenata Arapeta, farmer, Pukekohe, said he saw the; respondent at Waihi and asked what arrangement had been made for the Pukekohe booth, and he was informed that arrangements had been made with Mr Motion in regard to motor-cars. Later witness went to Perkin’s store and remarked that witness should be Pomare’s “mouthpiece.” Motor-cars were discussed and Perkins said he had supplies of food for the people. His hionor: That may be because

lie was the local grocer. Witness said he was satisfied his people had been provided for. Motorcars had been arranged as well as iood Witness was associate at I ulsekohe booth, but owing to an injury to his hand on election day he got a substitute to act, though lie remained in the booth nearly all day. About noon he went to Per km’s store, out-

side of which were many Maoris, ami asked why food had not been given. Perkin asked whether the Natives voted for Pomare. Witness said “Yes 1 ’ Then Perkin remarked: Ail right! I will give out food.” Witness later not a letter from respondent, which stated that £2B had been sent to Perkins to pay for motor-cars and food Witness was told the motorcar bill was £7 or £B, and when he

tolfl Perkins that the cost ot the looa had been put at £2 10s, the latter said there was also* the cost ot the food at Papakura. Then witness said to Perkins, “What about my expenses?” Whereupon Perkins retorted “What about my expenses? heeling very annoyed witness wrote to Sir M. Pomare, telling him what his expenses were. When witness remarked to ! Perkins that he knew that money had been sent to him by Sir M. Pomare the storekeeper denied haying re* coived any money. Cross-examined by Mr < Myers, witness said he had expenses in connection with looking after Pomare s interests during the whole week before the elec tfon. He spent all his time going round to see that conveyances and other matters had been arranged. Me had left his work to do that. Did you expect to be paid r xes, Pe i 3 h y aP whom P—By the man for whom I was working. , __ , Mr Justice Hosking: Was he asked to work for him ? Mr Myers: And by whom . Witness: I derived that knowledge from Sir Maui Pomare’s statement to go to see Mr Motion, and I concluded from that I was in his employ. Counsel produced a letter written by

Sir M. Poraar© to witness, and asKea whether it was not made plain that respondent had already made arrangennbnts and that witness s services would not be required. _ Witness replied.: That is correct. Counsel: What business was it ot vours whether payment was made tor

cars, and if so how much ? Witness failed, after many attempts, to give an answer which satisfied Mr Justice Stringer: When Natives inquired from you as to conveyances why did you not tell them you had nothing to do with the matter, an that they should go to Mr Motion?— Pomare had already intimated to mo

that I was to go and see Motion. Mr Justice Stringer: After you received Pomaro’s letter you told us you knew you had nothing to do with the matter. Why did you not tell inquirers so ? —I told them, hut they

were Maoris, and when I told them once they asked again. Mr Myers: I suggest some of your evidence'has been given because yoti have not been paid anything for what you did?—l have forgotten all about these expenses. ' Witness continued that he did not

see anv food being distributed. Mr 'Justice Stringer: Did you expect to be paid for your services ? Witness: Probably compassion would lie shown to me. , Hiima. Pam, a Native woman, and Tcwhnknkhiti Waaka, Pukekohe, said that bread butter, tea and biscuits were provided for about 40 persons at Mr V. Perkins’s store.

Valentine Henry Hobday, clerk o the Waimate West County Council, said that in October last 30 or 40 Maoris were over £I2OO in. arrears of rates. The chairman received from

Sir Maui Pomare a letter saying that the latter would like to discuss the matter. Sir M. Pomare went to Manaia on November 5. He wanted to get a reduction of rates, and asked if they could not write off two years

arrears if the balance were paid. The chairman offered to recommend the council to write off one year’s arrears provided the balance were paid by February 28. The council resolved accordingly. The Maoris did hot want to pay, saying they would hold a meeting and discuss the matter. No part of the rates had been paid. ' . Thomas McPhillips, county chair : man, said he considered Sir Maui Pomare was looking at The matter from a business viewpoint. Collection of rates from Maoris was difficult, and it was a compromise. There was a big stir among the Maoris when they got a copy of the lien notice. They were frightened their land would be Frank Perkins, storekeeper, Pukekohe, gave evidence as to hiring cars, which he paid for.

Mr Skerrett: On whose instructions did you order the cars ? Witness: My own. No one communicated with him in respect to taking Maoris to the poll. He paid for the cars. Ho received a cheque for £25 from M. Lisley, Wellington, who. he understood, was secretary and organiser for the Reform Party, witness was championing the Reform organisation in Pukekohe. _He had ascertained that all the Maoris around Pukekohe were Pomare supporters, and that decided him in ordering the cars. He did not remember Renata Arateta asking him about provision of cars for Maoris, and denied that Renata spoke to him _ about food for the people on election day. borne women and children went to the store and said they were hungry. He told an assistant to give them some bread and butter. He did not see more than

20 persons outside the store, most of them young women and children. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.