MR. JAMES MACKAY AND THE THAMES ELECTION PETITION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5725, 2 February 1876, Page 3

MR. JAMES MAC KAY AND THE THAMES ELECTION PETITION.

To the Editor : Sn, —The Eceniny Stai in itb issue of to-ilay makes the following statement lespeeting the election petition delivered by me to the .Returning Officer, com plaining of the undue election ot Sir Geoige Giey .is a member of the House of Repieseutatives foi the Thames district: —" In what capacity Mi. Maekay is acting on this occasion we baldly know, but looking to Ins connection with the Government, it is not too much to °uppose he is moving with the appio\al of MniibteiH, if not undei duett institutions fiom tho Minidti>. ' In ordei to ieino\eany doubts on the sub|ect —it such doubt leally exists —I beg to state that I am not now an olhccr of the Government, not subject to the rules of the Civil Service, i am at present a contractor for the pui chase of native lands for the Government, and am m precisely the same position as a pel son contracting for public works, or foi supplying articles tor the Public Service—that is, I have the right to act in the same manner as any other elector with respect to elections, except that 1 am disqualified for election from being in the position of a Government conti actor In making the first protest at Shoi tland 1 acted m my capacity as an elector for the Thames district, and consulted no person about it. Subsequently, under what I consider to be sound legal advice, 1 have lodged a petition agiin^t the election of Sir George Giey. and consider myself justified m doing so, .ind dosuo to act in strict accordance with law m the matter. With reference to the implied charge against tho Ministry that they approve of my action, or have given mo any uiiti acetous wuatjvor in lesp^jt to the petition I hive only to siy that there is not the slightest found ition in_fact for any .such statement or insinuation —1 sun, &c, J mi.-. Mu kay. Auckland, February 1, 1S7(>.