EDEN ELECTION PETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 7

EDEN ELECTION PETITION.

(Continued from Page 5.) j Proceeding, witness stated that Mr.; Shepherd said the proposed function would be for ladies only. She left the met meeting early, and I did not know there had been considerable discussion among the ladies as to whether they should have strawberries and cream. Mr. Levy's statement was "II arrange the strawberries." ! Mr. Skerrett: He was a bit previous, seeing there was a discussion after- • wards. I Witness admitted that the proposed! meeting was to provide a very nice entertainment by the ladies in honour of Mr. Parr. Percy E. Wood, strawberry grower, said that Mr. Percy Levy spoke to him at the store last November about supplying strawberries. Witness said, "What are they for, Percy?" Levy replied: "For Mr. Parr's turn-out across the road." He asked 2$ crates, and witnes said Alp might be able to assist, Levy asked him to arrange it. The j goods were supplied by witness, his, brother and Alp, at 1/9 per chip, the market price. Mr. Justice Stringer: How many chips go to a crate? —Sixteen. Mr. Justice Hosking: How maiy chips go to a plate? > Mr. Skerrett: That is a point your Honor would be more intersted in in your boyhood's days. Witnos said he rendered an account on January 11. and on February 11 he rendered an account to Mrs. Errickson, on the suggestion of Mr. Rout ley, who ultimately paid him. Cross-examined by Mr. Skerrett, witness said that at the time Mr. Levy j spoke to him he had heard that there ■ was to be a function of some sort, but :he did not know who was giving it.

Robert S. Abel, printer, admitted that he had refused Mr. Quartley all information until he was in the witnessbox. He said 150 "invites" and envelopes were ordered from his firm by W. P. Levy on November 20, and the goods were supplied. EVIDENCE RAISES A LAUGH. William Qualtrough, farmer, gave evidence that Mr. Shepherd asked him to tell Mrs. Qualtrough to come to a conversazione, te'ling him "we are doing it simply to ge', the women of the district together to have a friendly chat and to get to know each other. It has nothing to do with the election. You can vote for anybody you like and do what you like." (Laughter.) i Mr. Justice Hosking: We must have this noted. Witness: He said it had nothing to do with voting. You can vole for whom you like. Witness mentioned that his wife did not go to the gathering as she had a young baby, and a previous witness having made the same excuse, Mr. Justice Hosking remarked that they were evidently keeping the cradles full at Edendale. The witness then gave evidence that Mr. P. Levy asked to order a crate of strawberries from Dick Woods for Mr. Parr's meeting or conversazione, which he did. A lawyer had called at his home, but he was out. Cross-examined, witness said he gave a statement to Mr. Mason. He was more successful than the lawyer?—lt was a case of first come first served. (Laughter.) Richard Woods, strawberry grower, said he supplied one crate "of strawberries on Qualtrough's instructions and afterwards saw Mr. Levy in regard to the account. Mr. Levy said, "Oh. do not send the account to mc. I cannot have anything to do with it as I am Mr. Parr's secretary." In the end Mr. Levy told him to send the account Mrs. Errickson, secretary of the Glen Eden Social Committee, which he did. It wat mentioned that one account for all the strawberries would be more convenient than three small ones. Mr. Levy informed him that the money had not been collected, but he need not worry about his money. Witness also declared that he had sent an account to Mr. Levy, who was called upon to produce same in court. Mr. Skerrett said no such account had been received. OLD, OLD STORY REVIVED. Wm. John Pugh, farmer, Glen Eden, who attended the meeting where Mr. Shepherd was appointed chairman and Mr. Levy secretary of a committee, said Mr. Parr was present and had a talk. Witness received an account or statement for 10/, which he passed on to Mr. Levy. He believed strawberries was an item. Other committcemen told him they had not received a similar document. Cross-examined by Mr. Skerrett, witness said he did not pay the 10/; he did not know to whom to pay it. Mr. Levy told him it was a mistake that he should get it. Re-examined: Djd you say that Mr. Levy saw you after the row? —What row ? After the trouble. Did not you know there was trouble over the strawberries? —r knew there was trouble. Mr. Justice Stringer: Did you see him after Christmas? —Yes. Bernard Alpe, strawberry grower, said he supplied half a crate of strawberries. He sent the account to Mr. Levy, and last week Mrs. Errickson paid him. Cross-examined, witness said he sent the account to Mr. Levy as a matter of course. Is strawberry growing a new industry in Glen Eden?—Y T es. Mr. Skerrett: Your strawberries seem to have caused almost as much trouble as the apple in the Garden of Eden. (Laughter.) The case is proceeding.