Western Maori Election

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 77, 15 March 1923, Page 5

Western Maori Election

ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE. HE AKIN G OF THE PETITION. [Per Press Association.] Auckland, March 15. The Western Maori election petition ■ case was continued to-day. Mr Justice Hosking said the Court Court would hear further argument on the admissability of evidence in reference to the method of voting and the allegation that secrecy was destroyed. Assuming irregularities to be an admissible topic, the result would be to bring it within Section 179, That might relieve the Court of having to decide the thorny question of an amendment of the petition.

Tupito Maruera, described by other witnesses as one of Sir Maui Pomare’s chief organisers, gave evidence that in 1912 he and another were appointed by the Natives to look after their interests iu matters of law and property, and he was authorised to fill such capacity in 1913. He denied he was one of the canvassers for Sir Maui Poma re at the 1919 election. At a meeting held near Wanganui last September he suggested that Katana junior should be set aside r as he had not the capacity to deal with law matters, and that Sir Mui Pomaro had. Witness agreed that suggestions that had been made at other meetings ctively advanced Sir Maui Pomare':; candidature. He spoke in support of ftir Maui Pomarc of his own volition.