THE AUCKLAND ELECTORAL COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12649, 29 April 1903, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND ELECTORAL COMMISSION.

(Per United Press Assoctmon.) WELLINGTON, April 28. The commissioners appointed to inquire into the charges against Mr King, registrar of electors, Auckland, in their report find that none of the charges lias been substantiated, and thereforo no recommendation is made to .the Government. They state that King, not being represented hy counsel, was placed at some disadvantage. King had only from tho middle of September to October to prepare the rolls, and the commissioners consider that the shortness of the time and the attempted combination of economy, expedition, and elasticity in tho interpretation of the law and accuracy prems to have contributed to the errors and omissions charged to King. Had there been moro timo the errors would have been overcome. The evidence showed that King's personal attitude had been conciliatory and unobjectionable, though some of his letters might bo criticised.

Tho commissioners, speaking generally of tho charges againet King, express tiie opinion that there was no evidence to support tho charge of corrupt motive, which was tho grievance of tho whole accusation. There is, thoy ray, no evidence that King discriminated between parties claiming enrolment, and the commissioners acquit him, and regret that the charges wore made; but thoy make some comment on the/ charge of inserting a name on the Grey Lynn roll after the issno of tho writ. On ihis rhntter, they add, thero is a mass of contradiction on both sides, and the whole circumstances are unsatisfactory and suspicious.-