AN UNAUTHORISED PROXY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14000, 4 March 1909, Page 7

AN UNAUTHORISED PROXY.

HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION. "A ROTTEN . LAW." The hearing of the petition of Mr. J. H. Bradney and others as to alleged irregularities in connection with the election on February 8 of Messrs. J. J. Craig, J. H. Gunson, and H. D. Heather, to the Auckland Harbour Board, as the representatives of shipping interests and payers of dues, was resumed before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Mr. M. G. McGregor appeared for the petitioners, Mr. F. E. Baume, K.C., for Mr. Gunson, Mr. J. Stanton for Mr. Craig, and also for Mr. Heather, ?nd Mr. E. Russell for the returning officer (Mr. F. L. Prime). Further evidence was taken as to the proxy obtained from Mr. Buchanan's office. W. S. Collins, a traveller in the employ of Heather, Roberton, and Co., stated that he had no knowledge of any but the original proxy, which was returned by him to Mr. Buchanan. He know nothing of a proxy bearing Mr. Carbine's name. Arthur Vivian Carbine, a clerk in the employ of J. C. Speckling, said he preferred not to answer any questions in regard to the proxy before the Court, because in so doing he might incriminate himself.

James Robertson, grain merchant, who was called by Mr. Stanton, stated that previous to the election he rang up Buchanan's ■ office in connection with the proxy. He did not say he was ringing up for Heather, Roberton, and Co., but for Robertson Brother*,

To Mr. Kettle: He did not know who spoke to him through the telephone.

To Mr. Stanton: Ho did not procure the proxy personally, but on© was procured.

To Mr. Kettle: The person who spoke to him said that if a proxy was sent up it would be signed. Subsequently the proxy was received, and then later Mr. Buchanan withdrew his proxy, because of his intention to vote personally. Afterwards Mr. Buchanan went to Rotorua, and the proxy in dispute was obtained. Witness knew nothing of Carbine's signature, nor did he know who had induced the clerk at Buchanan's office to attach the signature of W. Buchanan to the proxy. Mr. Kettle: I will got to the bottom of this, and won't close the inquiry until I do so. Have you any means of finding out? M>r. Robertson: I might be able to. Mr. Kettle: Very well, please do so, and bring evidence before the Court. It was evident that Buchanan's clerk had been mistaken as to the name of the firm which rang up. The whole law was rotten, and required revision. If this were a sample of the method adopted tor the procuring of votes in Auckland, then it was time something was done. Mr. McGregor remarked that if blank proxies were to be handled so promiscuously, they might yet find them being offered for sale. Mr. Kettle: Bribery and* corruption is certainly possible. Mr. Baumc presented a note from Mr. Spedding, intimating that he had supplied Mr. Carbine with the proxy upon which he voted. Mr. Carbine (recalled) said the proxy bearing the signature of "W. Buchanan" was handed to him by Mr. Spedding. Mr. McGregor: Did you see your name being filled in?— Yes. Mr. Kettle: We haven't got to the bottom of it yet. Mr. McGregor: Where was the proxy filled in?—ln Mr. Gunson's electioneering office. > Mr. McGregor: Did yon receive instructions how to vote?—l had instructions from Mr. .Spedding. - \ ■ - •., A. G. McDonald, a clerk in the employ of J. J. Craig, said he was in Mr. Gunson's electioneering office when Mr. Guneon rang up Buchanan's office for a proxy. Witness went up to the latter office and handed a blank proxy form to a clerk. The document wn!s handed back to him with the signature of " W. Buchanan" attached, but witness could not say by whom it was written. Subsequently ho returned to Mr. Gunson's office with the proxy. Mr. Kettle: At last the matter of this proxy, has been cleared up. \ Mt. McGregor But this is only one of many. Mr. Baume: If there is any further information which Your Worship thinks I might supply I shall be pleased to do so. Mr. Kettle thanked counsel, and intimated that he would give his decision at 11 a.m.'to-day.