ECHO OF ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 10

ECHO OF ELECTION

POLITICAL MEETING THEATRE HIRE ACCOUNT PARTY LEADER NOT LIABLE [by TELEGRAPH —OWN COURKSrONDKNTI HASTINGS, Saturday An echo of tho 1935 general election campaign was heard in the Waipukurau Magistrate's Court when T. C. A. Hislop, loader of the Democrat Party, was sued by tho Waipukurau Borough Council for £1 19s 5d for the hire of tho Municipal Theatre on the occasion of a political meeting, lhe hall was booked for Mr. Hislop by the Waipukurau Democrat candidate, W. L. Barker. The magistrate, Mr. J. Miller, therefore disagreed with the contention that Mr, Hislop was responsible. .Defendant did not appear, but forwarded his evidence, which was perused by the magistrate. Mr. White, for the Borough Council, stated that Mr. Barker had seen the town clerk and had booked the theatre for Mr. Hislop, asking that the account should bo sent direct to Mr. Hislop. Mr. Barker had left the district and the council did not know where he was to be found. However, Mr. _ Hislop had bad the theatre for the night, and if tho person booking it had had no authority to do so, then that would be a matter between the candidate and Mr. Hislop. Mr. Hislop stated in a written defence that Mr. Barker had exceeded bis authority. Mr. White claimed that there was an agency. The town clerk had made it clear that the Democrat Party was not mentioned and the account was against Mr. Hislop personally. The magistrate said he thought it would be an extraordinary thing if the leader of a political party had to take responsibility for all such things. In this case defendant had been invited to the meeting by Mr. Barker, and Mr. Barker was the man who should pay. The correct procedure would be to sue him.