ELECTION PETITION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 57, 8 March 1923, Page 11

ELECTION PETITION

MAORIS ALLEGE BRIBERY

AGAINST SIR MAUI POMARE

CHARGES NOW 13E1NG HEARD

AT TAUKANGA.

(BI TII.EGRAPK.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) TAURANGA, 7th March. ■ The Court was thronged this afternoon wlien the hearing of the election petition against the return of Sir Maui Pomare for the Western Maori Electoral District, was continued, Maoris from all parts of the extensive electorate were present. Mr. Skerpett, in opening, pointed out that tkei'e were four candidates for the Western Maori seat, hut the contest resolved itself into one between Sir Maui Poniare and Ratana, the former securing 3835 votes and the latter 3037, and • the other two 940 between them- The electorate was very extensive, there E>ejng 179 polling booths. The whole object of Pomare was to detach the supporters of Ratana. Counsel dealt first with the charges of securing re-employ-nient for Maoris at Matapihi, and quotel telegrams between Sir Maui Pomare and the Hon. J. 6. Coatee to show that Sir Maui Pomare used his influence in the matter, the result being that the men were reinstated. Evidence would also be adduced to show that Sir Maui Pomare threatened to send certain dishonoured cheques to the right quarter unless Rangi Marumaru supported him, with a view to his Native interpreter's license being cancelled. It was also alleged, and would be shown, that drink was supplied to Natives at Muir'p mine, Te Puke, when Sjr Maui Pom&re was there, with the result that many became intoxicated, and one of the oldest Natives then declared all would support Sir Maui Pomare. Regarding the charges that a bottle of beer wa,s given Kohi Taukiwai at IViranga, it would be shown that Kohi was a prohibited person, and that the act was not an isolated one, but characteristic of the system adopted by Sir Maui Pomara. Canvassing for votes and the charge of supplying liquor at the Star Hotel, Tauranga, on election day, when the Act provided that Natives must not be sup T plied that day, was in the same direction. With regard to the general charges of irregularities, evidence would be called dealing with isolated cases in connection with the election. THREATS AGAINST OPPOSITION. The first witness called was Ngahuia Ngatai, a Native woman, living at Matapihi, near TaurangaJ who was present at the meeting when the matter iv regard to employment was discussed. She said Sir Maui Pomare had telegrams, and explained what had passed between him and the Hon. J. G. Coates, and also promised if the boys vpted for him he would have them reinstated. To Mr. Myers: Witness stated she was a follower of Ratana senior, and was at present at his pa on Tauranga Harbour. She had not heard the matter of the evidence to bo given diqcussed at any meetings, and certainly not at religious meetings. She was at Ratana, near. Turakina, at Christmas, but the matter of the evidence was not discussed there as far as she knew. Fprther evidence was given by, Te-kani-a-Tamatea regarding the meeting held at Matapihi on Sunday, l?th November, when Pomare was alleged to have promised that, if supported, he would have the hoys back in their jobs. The. witness said Pomare had threatened if returned to punish those who opposed him. . ' . Crops-examined by Mr. O'Leary, witness said that about forty or fifty were present, and when Pomare gathered that some supporters of Ratana were present he made the threat. Pou Ngatai, the next witness, was examined at considerable length on the same lines. Iv cross-examination, he admitted making a statement to petitioner and his solicitors, but denied ifaking another statement later to Mr. Bloomfield, solicitor of Auckland, Poniare, and a Native interpreter, and swore that thp Signature to the three pages of the statement produced by Mr Myers were not his. Finally, the witness was orI dered to stand down, the Judg* remark- ' ing that not much credence could he given his evidence, and that he was not much use to either side. BOTTLES OP BEER. This witness also gave evidence regarding the bottle of beer alleged to bo given to one Teirikia, of Matapihi, He said he got three bottles of beer frqrn one Kohi, but could pot say where they got it. He wa^ taken to a house at Matapihi, where it was drunk, by several Natives. Teirikia came in, stood up, and said: " One candidate ten horse-power and other three, and all better vote for the ten horsepower man" (Poniare). . Koia Aperahama, of Thames, was called to give evidence of treating three persons on polling day in support of the genera^ allegation of undue influence, etc., throughout the electorate. There was considerable discussion between the Bench and counsel as to the admissibility of the evidence, and it was finally decided to postpone further discussion till the Court met in Auckland. The witness, therefore, stood down in the meantime. CERTAIN DISHONOURED CHEQUES Rangi Marumaru gave evidence that he was a licensed interpreter, living with Ratana. He went ,to Wellington from Auckland in consequence of a. message that Pomare wanted to see him. On arrival he saw Pomare, who held several dishonoured cheques of ■ witness, and threatened to send them to the proper j quarter with a view. to having witness's j license cancelled unless he supportel l'o. nare. On leaving he received £2 from Pomare,' for which he gave a receipt. He admitted that it seemed strange any man giving a bribe should take a receipt. The witness swore that, after leaving Wellington, the only letter to Pomare was ono written in September, informing Pomare he would not support him, and telling Pomare he could do what he liked with the cheques. Later the witness admitted a letter, dated 25th August, to Pomara was written by him, promising Pomare support, and naming a committee to work the electorate for Pomare. The witness was still under a severe cross-examination by Mr. Myerß when the Court adjourned till 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.