YARMOUTH ELECTION EXPENSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 149, 23 June 1906, Page 9

YARMOUTH ELECTION EXPENSES.

Mr Arthur Fell. M.P.. lias been the recipient of much local sympathy during Hie hearing of the Yarmouth election petition. Each day on arriving with his wife and daughters at the Town Hall, where the inquiry is being held, the New Zealander has been re'.-esved with hearty 'cheers. Mr Martin White, the defeated Liberal candidate, is petitioning to have Mr Fell undented, alleging bribery, ""treating" and various other illegal payments and ad* on the part of the Unionist candidate and agents. Sundry local worthies deposed io having received h.ilf-erowni from one Baker, supposed to he an njent for Mr Fell, on the tin- ) that they would vott- , for • the Unionist candidate. Other , * to id I how they had free drinks at a big "At Home" given in the Town Hall some lime before the election* by Mr and Mrs Fell, to which all and sundry were invited, and at which some, of the humbler guests became distinctly "frcshy." '"What i.--. the mpanine of "freshy?'"" Mr Dickens. X.C.. asked one of the witnesses, a la bnurer. "You ought to know," replied the witness, and the Court roared. "They know you better at Yarmouth than we do. Mr Dickens." remarked Mr Justice Grantham. pleasantly. The' runiu questions at issue in the flare are whether Baker was re.nllv an ageut of Mr Fell, whether there was any corrupt, intent in giving the "At I Hume,"' and whether election expenses began before or at the commencement of an election. Mr Foil, <ri\hig in his own defence, denied thnt Baker was an agent of his. or in any way connected with him. As in the cases of treating, his counsel declared there was no particle of evidence of any treating on the. day of election. With regard to the meetings of the ward associations, Mr Fell was not responsible for the fact that they took place in publio houses. it might be undesirable, but such had been the custom in Yarmouth for many years past. Mr Fell treated no one at these meetings. His daughters denied having ever, at the famous "At Home."' invited any of the guests to ''Vote for pa." With regard to the "At Home."' it might have been unwise, said counsel: it might have, been open to abuse, but Mr Fell had no previous experience of elections. The alcohol and tobacco were supplied by the caterer on his own initiative, and ZUi" Fell made no objection because he was told it was usual to give spirits . on such evasions, if preferred to tea. Mr Foil, added counsel, djd everything a man could dn to avoid any conduct on > the part ot QTerrone connected with him which could be the subject of criticism. Probably no seat at the recent elections had been fought in a cleaner way than that in Yarmouth.