THE HINE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 273, 17 November 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

PETITIONS AND MONEY.

(By Telegraph Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Hine inquiry resumed this morning. J. McCluggage, called by Sir Joseph Ward, said that he asked Sir Joseph twice to speak at Stratford during the last election campaign. Sir Joseph declined until the charge agfinst Mr. Syxnes about a letter to witness and receiving payments for petitions could be cleared up. The Hon. W. W. Carneross gave similar evidence.

The Harare Kaihau charges were then resumed.

Robert Kelly, post office clerk, produced Horomona's bank book, showing the withdrawal of £15 at Ngaruawahia on March 8, 1905, this being the only one that year.

To Mr. Skerrett: There had subsequently been six other withdrawals of £15, all since 1908.

J. Otherson, clerk of the House, testified to the presentation of the petitions mentioned in the charges.

Keritoke Te Ahu, who acted as agent for Mohi Tβ Warn, produced a telegram from Kaihau: "Send mc petition and money, else too late." Witness sent under register the petition and £15, and produced the registration receipt.

Witness produced a telegram from Kaihau acknowledging receipt of the petition and money, and another asking for £5, which was sent, the registration receipt being produced.

Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, witness said during the last election, he .telegraphed to Mr. A. T. Ngata asking if petitions had to be paid, for, Mr. Ngata replying that it was wrong for members of Parliament to receive payment for presenting petitions. Witness intended contesting the Northern Maori district at next election.

Rewstu Hiriako and TCaahu Huatare deposed to having paid £25 and £10 respectively to Kaihau for presenting petitions.

Te Kamanomano said Kaihau gave him £10 towards the expenses of the Maori meeting and £5 when witness' child died, witness promising to rejjay Kaihau when able. Wnen the petition in the matter of Manuaitu, Aotea. South, was drawn up witness gave Kaihau £10 to pay for search of Court books. When witness was in Wellington in 1905 Kaihau paid witness' board for some weeks. This closed Mr. Hine's case against Mr. Kaihau. Mr. Myers mentioned that the only witness he had now to call was Mr. Griffin, who will appear to-morrow in the "Flsxbourne charge. The committee adjourned till to-mor-row, NO OFFENCE DISCLOSED. MR. McDonald exonerated. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Select Committee of the Upper House, appointed to investigate the Hine allegations against Hon. T. K. MacDonald, M.L.C., reported to the Legislative Council this afternoon. The Committee found that there had been no offence against the law., and completely exonerated Mr. Mac Donald.