THE BRIBERY CHARGES.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13352, 28 February 1912, Page 2

THE BRIBERY CHARGES.

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TAKES EVIDENCE.

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, Fob. 27. The proceedings oi tne aptcial Comiiiuteu, set up oy I'arliamont to m\fstigtvio the aiiegations mat biibei; were oaercd to ooiui.n mem Oprs, wtje open to tlio l Jresr, to-day.

3ir riauau presided. Uiio first caso taken wits that referring to the extract from the. .letter road by Air. Jl'assey on Fiiday night. Air. Payne at the outset stated that he had had ■no opportunity of conferring with his solicitor. Mr. Payne ajso said he desired to bo represented by counsel. Tho question of adjournment was suggested. Mr. EusseJl, a member of tho Committee, ask^d whether it was not a- fact that the Committee would ceaso to exist when the House rose, and that there was a probability of the proceeding:, coming to a termination after to-morrow jnght's discussion.

The Committee then proceeded to the consideration of charge No. I', wherein Mr, Massoy h?.d said: "T]k>:i lie said something' whether he (iiv. Payne) was supposed to hav o boon squared by Mr. Vigor Brown end Sir Joseph Ward at Napier. Now that was a statement that was made quito openly in Auckland. I think Mr. Payn<? had begun to see tho serioi:!; position ho proposed to tako up, and ho Raid: 'Just let me think it ovor.' "

Mr Myers stated that Mr. Msssey had unreservedly withdrawn tin statement, and he proposed to put i:i the statement.

Tho chairman to Mr. Myers : Can you assist tin? Committee with any letters or cyideuco that there- is any foundation in fact for the charge? Mr Myers: No. It is not .suggest?,-] that the charge has any foundation in fact.

Mr. Skorrett, who at this Rta^-o appeared on behalf of Mr. Payne, said his client regarded the word "squared" as an opprobrious term imputing somo improper conduct. Mr Payne, added counsel, accepted Mr. Massoy's statement, but he deriired to say on oath that there was not one word of truth in tho chargo.

Mr Ma-Ksey said he desired to mako it perfectly clear that be had mado no chargo.