THE ELECTION PETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 59, 10 March 1923, Page 15

THE ELECTION PETITION.

TO CONCLUDE IN AUCKLAND. CLOSE OF EVIDENCE. The hearing of the petition lodged against the return of Sir Maui Pomare was adjourned yesterday at Tauranga, and will be resumed at the Auckland Supreme Court on Tuesday. The evidence has lieen completed. George .lumes Muir. giving further evidence, said that at the meeting outside his house the natives were merry in consequence of a witty speech which had been given by Taite. To his knowledge none of the natives present were drunk. His house was six and a-half miles from the nearest hotel, and unless the natives had a "plant they would require to ; travel that distance for drink. i James R. Xoble. general manager of Oold Reefs Ltd. also swore that no liquor was served to the natives. Two natives gave evidence on similar lines. | Taite Kirikau, a labourer at the mines, stated that no whisky was drunk in the kitchen of Muir's house, outside of which the candidate had held a meeting, nor had any lieen consumed at the meeting. He remembered there was some dancing, which he led. That took place simply in conformity with the Maori custom. Two girls employed at Muir's house were called on subpoena, and they both denied having supplied liquor to the natives. They saw no one drinking and no one drunk.