THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

North Otago Times, Volume 1945, Issue XXVI, 22 July 1878, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

THE ALLEGED BRIBERY STORY. Co tlio Editor of tho North Otaqj Times ) Sir, — I saw the paragraph in the "Evening Mail" of Friday with reference to an alleged offer of a bribe to a voter by one of Mr Steward's supporters, and, thinking that this might have arisen out of what took placo between myself and Mr Josoph Williams, I at ono timo thought of writing to that paper giving tho true version of the story, and only did not do so because I deemed it scarcely worth while to refer to so ridiculous a statement. Seeing, howovor, what purports to bo a circumstantial account of what took placo in Saturday's " Mail," signod by Joseph Williams, it becomes my duty to Mr Steward, to myself, mid tho public generally, to say that the version given by Williams is utterly incorrect — to use tho mildest term. What roally took placo was as follows :—: — I mot Williams near tho Bank of Now Zealand, and said to him, "You will voto for Steward V He replied : " No, I am on the other track." I had somo business in the Bank, and turned in, making no further remark. Shortly afterwards, about a quarter of an hour, perhaps, I mot Williams in Wansbeck street, near Mr Headland's house. He said to mo ; " How's tho voles going ! What price are tho votes to-day ?" I said : " I have got a note (taking one out of my pocket — ono of two which I had got at tho Rank, whore I cashed a cheque). Would you take that for yours 1" He said : "I have got four votes." I asked him : " Well, would you sell your votes for a note ?" He said : " No, you are only joking." I said: "Well, tell us whethor you would take it or not," or something to that effect, in a joking way. Samuel Burns and David Heron wero standing by at tho timo, and wo were nil laughing and joking, and just then tho whistlo blow, and wo parted, and went homo to our dinners. Tho whole thing was nothing but a piece of chaff, and as to either offering Williams tho money on Mr Steward's account or on my own, the statement is utterly false. I nover had any such intention, for as a member of Mr Steward's Committee I knew perfectly well that neither that gentleman nor the Committee would sanction any such proceeding, and I most certainly could not afford to givo the note, which was tho only ono I had at the time, having been paid a cheque of L 2 for a job of mason work which Burns and I had boon building together, and having cashed tho cheque at tho Bank, I had given tho other note to Burns. I need not add, for I have boon living in Oamaru for somo eight years, that I am not tho sort of man to do a dishonest thing, and I look upon offering a bribe as such ; but I may say that even had I been a rogue I shoirid'nt have been such a fool as to offer a bribe in tho prosenco of two witnesses. Chaffing is perhaps a foolish thing, but there is always a good deal of chaff at election times, and I am only sorry that what was meant as harmless fun should have been twisted by tho other side into a charge as grave as it is utterly falso. I solemnly state that tho version of what took pl.vco as given above by mo is the truth, tho whole truth, and nothing but the truth. — I am, <fee., H. Tempisro.

I certify that tho above is a true account of what took placo between Tompcro and Williams in my presence. Samuel Buhxs.

I, David Heron, a.iy that T was present at the timo referred to in the abovo letter, and that myself, Teinporo, and Williams were chaffing about tho election. I remember Tcmporo offering a note to Williams, and I further remember laughing and saying at tho same timo that niaybo I'd soil my vote for L 5, or something to that oftect. I did'nt know which side Williams was on or anything about it. T meant nothing but a joke myself, and fully believed then and beliovo still, that Teinporo was joking liko rest of in. — lam, &g., David Hbiiox.