DOMINION DOINGS.

Southland Times, Issue 14095, 29 April 1909, Page 6

DOMINION DOINGS.

A DISPUTED ELECTION. (Fcr Batted Pres* AnacltUca.) AUCKLAND, April 28. Mr Henare Kaihau, M.P., Is preparing to pot a Keen fight at the hearing of Pepene Eketone’s petition against his election as representative of the Western Maori district The petition Is to be heard at Hamilton before two judges of the Supreme Court on May 10. Speaking to a Press representative to-day Mr Kaihau, who has represented the Western Maori district in Parliament for the last eleven years, said that Pepene Eketone’s chief objection was that the system employed at the ballot last ■ election was not in accordance with the law. Since 1864, Mr Kaihau says, it has been the custom at native elections for the Returning Officer to ask each native, on his entering the booth, his name, his tribe and the name of the candidate for whom he desires to vote. The custom has been for the Returning Officer to enter up these particulars and to, in many cases, dispense with the need for ballot papers. The petition to upset the last election is based on the ground that the ballot papers should have been used and that the course of procedure employed had been irregular. "If this is so it is no fault of mine,” added the member for the Western Maoris. "As far as I can understand the election was carried out in accordance with the custom which has prevailed for years. If there has been any Improper procedure in making the election invalid then all the other candidates will be in the same position as myself. Personally 1 have no fear of the outcome of a second election, if it is necessary. MUNICIPAL LOANS. NAPIER, April 28. Napier burgesses to-day voted on loan proposals totalling £134,250, with the result that all were carried by large majorities as follows; — Forming and metalling borough boundary roads, £2750, carried by 819 votes to 137; permanent road formation. £15.500, carried by 794 to 150; duplicating water works plant and installing destructor and water meters, £15,000, carried by 291 to 81; erection of Municipal theatre. £25,000, carried by 754 to 203; borough park in Napier South, £SOOO, carried by Sl6 to 147; installing electric tramways and electric lighting. £35,000, carried by 825 to 134; new fire station, £IOO, carried by 746 to 203; drainage to 77. KAILWATMEX'S APPEALS. WANGANUI. April 28. The North Island Railway Appeal Board was occupied all day hearing conclusion of the evidence In the appeal of .1. A. Shelton against dismissal for his connection with a collision at Marton Junction. In his evidence Shelton said that he was instructed by the station master to go out on the main line with a shunting engine. The mail train was overdue; but he contended that he considered that the signal would protect him, seeing that the station master had given him the orders. No sooner had the shunting engine got on to the main line than the mail train appeared and there was a collision. Other witnesses deposed to having heard the station master ask- Shelton if he was going out on the line. The station master to-day declared that the shunt was made without his authority, and was In direct contravention of the paradlco which obtained in the yard. He said that it was possible that Shelton had misunderstood an instruction regarding a different part of the yard. The Court reserved decision. James McGurk. driver of a shunting engine, appealed against his dismissal. He said that he was bound by the regulations to obey the instructions of Shunter Shelton, who told him to go out on the main line. He could not see the signals, hut presumed that the shunter would not order him into danger. The case was not concluded.