THE WAITOTARA ELECTION PETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8916, 3 December 1887, Page 5

THE WAITOTARA ELECTION PETITION.

[by telegraph.—press association.] Wang an Friday. On the Bryoe-Hutohlson election petition case being resumed this morning, the investigation ot the bribery charges was proceeded with, the particular case being that which alleged that McLean was paid £1 for expenses incurred in attending to record his vote. McLean said ho voted at the recent election at Waver ley. Prior to the election he received from respondent a letter, which merely asked for the support of witness and his brothers at the election. Witness saw respondent at the declaration of the poll the week after the election, and asked him for some money to pay his expenses incurred in travelling from Eltham to Waverley to vote. Respondent gave witness a sovereign, and witness replied, " Will pay you this back some day," as though it was borrowed money. He had not been asked to repay the money, but would have done so it he had been asked. Cross-examined : He made no arrangements as to the payment of travelling expenses. Respondent had lent witness money on previous occasions, and he understood the sovereign he bad obtained from respondent was for the purpose of paying his expenses incurred in attending to record his vote. Witness was further examined at some length respecting conversations with reference to the sovereign which respondent had given him. He did not tell Mildrock, respondent's manager, that he expectod to got fifty or a hundred pounds pounds for his evidence, but he told him that he expected to be well paid for giving evidence for petitioner. Barry Thomas Major, shearer, Waverley, stated that he had attested some signatures to claims to vote, and that, in reply to a question, he had said, in a chaffing way, that he had got half-a crown for every vote obtained for respondent. There had been a dispute between Lloyd and Smith, bushmen, and respondent as to a olaim for bush.felling. This claim had been settled in favour of respondent. Witness went to those men to get them to sign claims to vote, and then spoke about old claims against respondent. William Smith, mentioned by last witness as having a olaim against respondent, gave ovidence. Mann asked witness if his vote would be all right, if the old claim against respondent had been settled, and witness replied the vote would be right. Smith saw Mason on election day, and the latter then told him not to poll bis vote until he had seen respondent. Late in the day he was taken to the hotel by respondent's manager, and introduced to respondent. Respondent said he did not think witness and his mate had been fairly treated. Mr. Walter, bush feller, told respondent that he felt sure witness's mate would not vote for him unless he received compensation for an old claim. Respondent said, Tell your mate that I say Mason is to see the matter righted." He was perfectly satisfied, and then recorded his veto. A, Clement, formerly mate of last witness, and John Lloyd gave evidence. Testimony was adduced as to the old claim of Smith, which it had boon agreed to remit to arbitration. Henry Frederick Mason, commission agent, Waverley, said he had assisted in placing about 40 names on the Waitotara roll. Would not swear ha had not taken persons to a publichouse before or after obtaining signatures to claim to voto. He acted as secretary to respondent's committee in Waverley. Walter Sims waa chairman. Remembered a free lunoh at Jaoobs' Hotel on nomination day. Thirty or forty eleotors from Patea lunched at Jacob's Hotel on polling day. Had not more than 4s or 53 in his pocket, and the score against him at two hotels was for drinks obtained during the evening after the close of the poll. Had been warned by respondent not to run up any drink scores during the day, but to pay cash. Had not received any money from anyone in connection with the election. Paid all his travelling expenses out of his own pocket. Spent no money whatever during the hours of polling. In the ovening shouted for all hands. Friends and foes alike were all free: Had no authority from respondent to expend any moneys for the purpose of assisting to secure his return, and spent no money by his authority. Thos. Ellis was called next. He said ho was landlord of the Commercial Hotel, Waverley. Thare was some drinking on the polling day, and some shouting. Could not remember whether Mason was in tho house on nomination day. He was in on polling day, and had a drink by himself, in the morning. His name appeared on witness' books for £7 4a 6d, from January sth to the present date. On polling day he was hooked 103 Bd. The case was again adjourned.