THE WAIRAU ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, 19 January 1912, Page 6

THE WAIRAU ELECTION.

ALLEGED BRIBERY, CORRUPTION AND OTHER MALPRACTICES.

(Per Press Association^

BLENHEIM, Jan. 18. ( In accordance with- the Acts the petitioners against McCallum's elecition for the Wairau advertise the full text of the grounds' of the petition in the Express to-night. The petition is very lengthy, comprising 27 clauses. Summarised tihe grounds of the proceeding are as follows.: — McCallum is alleged to (be guiky of bribery, treating", using undue iiijfiuence, intimida-. tion of electors, and other corrupt and illegal practices whereby an honest, pure and fair election was unholden. Therefore it should be declared void.

After meeting the electors of Grovetown McCallum announced that his Chairman of Committee would "shout 1 "; that they proceeded to the hotel, where McCallum addressed the electors and supplied them with drink and entertainment, paid for directly or by his agent at Picton, Havelock, Marlborough, town of Okai-amio, Seddon, and Mirza. McCallum provided meat, drink, and intoxicating liquors Ho large numbers of electors with the purpose of influencing votes at Grove road. Blenheim was the polling place at the grain story of McCallum's brother, where large quantities of liquor were -supplied to electors wherewith McCallum was accessory. Large quantities of intoxicating liquor were supplied to the: electors at Seddon.

That 'the agent of McCallum there importuned electors to vote for. McCallum and supplied' them with liquor supplied by McCallum. A member of McCallum's committee gave the electors of Mirza money to buy liquor. Prior to th 0 second ballot McCallum made contracts for the payment of the cojiveyJUicc of electors .'to and firom

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the polling booth at the elections. That the secretary of McCallum's committee was seen to instruct the I drivers of such conveyances to con- , vey' the electors 'to the poll to 'vote j for McCallum. That a prominent member of McCallum's Committee stood at the principal booth accosting." electors urging them to vote for McCallum thus intimidating eelctors. The same thing occurred, at anohcr polling; place. ! That McCallum was -g-uil'ty of cor nipt practice in the first ballot, masnvucih- as the total expense exceeded £200; and in- the second ballot the total expense exceeded ,£SO. That McCallum. promised money to canvassers for votes. That the chairman of the committees offered money to the said canvasser to procure votes. That the promised money was paid after the election. Clauses ar-ei also inserted alleging i'liaiti bets were made by members of McCallum's committee and prominent supporters, thereby influencing- votes of electors. ■'■-.*