CORRUPTION CHARGES WITHDRAWN

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6838, 20 April 1932, Page 7

CORRUPTION CHARGES WITHDRAWN

Surprise in Election Petition ENGINE-DRIVER’S POLITICAL SOMERSAULT Per Press Association. MAETON, April 19. A bombshell fell on the Election Court, when it resumed this moriimg, when with one exception the charges of corrupt practice ou the part of Alexander Stuart were withdrawn by counsel for the petitioner, James Thomas Hogan.

The only case which remained was a charge that Join; Fyfc, an engine driver at Marton Junction, after being compulsorily retired was reinstated on Stuart’s representations. Fyfc, in evidence, dc.uicd that iespondee!; had done anything more than give him a letter of introduction to the lion. Mr Coates. The political leanings of witness were questioned and lie admitted that he had “certain sympathies with the Labour ’Party.” lie supported Mr Stuart, however, because lie considered him to be a suitable man to represent the district in Parliament. “He turned a political somersault,” said counsel, to which the Chief Justice replied, “That is nothing. Ple-nty of people do that and they are entitled lo do so. This is a serious charge and we want something more than that.” The hearing is proceeding. After some discussion on the rclcvency of certain evidence the charge in respect to the reinstatement of Fyfc on the railways was abandoned and the case for Mr. Stuart was opened with the hearing of a further batch of witnesses who voted in Raagitikci but who resided out of Ue electorate for more than the prescribed time. Thirteen votes were thus involved in addition to those involved in tho evidence called for Mr. Hogan yesterday. The deputy-returning -officer at the Murimotu bootli gave evidence that the booth was dosed at fi o’clock instead of 7 by mistake. He remained in tho booth, however, until (5.55 and stayed at the gate for a few moments. Nobody was in sight and only one woman was refused a voto after fi o'clock.

The hearing of tho evidence will probably conclude to-morrow, but the scrutiny of the votes and judgment will probably take place in Wellington.