AN ELECTION PETITION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144668, 30 April 1915, Page 7

AN ELECTION PETITION.

THE BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT. PSU fRLSB ASSOCIATION. KAIKOHE, April 30. The inquiry into the Bay of Islands petition opened before Justices Chapman and (tasking.

Sir John Kindhiv. in opening, pointed oiu uiat Row! h:wl poll-xt nearer a third than half the total voles in the IOM eJoetioii, while in a stajiight-out iipit in 11VH Heed polUxl 2671 ami 'Wilkinson 2-18 S. Hwd thm-foro had reason to fear that his chattel's of return would be areally imperilled unless Wilkinson withdrew from the 10! 1 election, seeing that he had himself deserted from cite I.literal to the Reform Party since 15)1], ■Ai a meeting in April. Tfll !, the Heform delegates chose W ilkinson a,- rile official candidate by J 3 votes to o. SuhseqneiUly ,1. fJoim.ston. a supporter of lined, met Wilkinson and, mi Mialf of Reed, offered him a seat in the legislative Council if ito retired. and tile offer was never withdrawn up to .\ovoinher 30. 1014. Heed also mafic an alternative offer to retire hintsell' in twelve,months in favour of Wilkinson. if tile latter would assist him in securing the seat at the general elections. further, n few days before tile election. John Jecentho. on behalf of liend, approached Wilkinson's secretary, offering to pay all Wilkinson’s .■lection expenses if he would retire. The offer was rejected. Sir John Findlay submitted that the various offers and promises came distinctly under the definition of corrupt practices, which included bribery, treating and undue influences. He quoted tho case in which Wiiford was unseated from the Mutt because lie wrote to Soddon recommending tho appointment of a man as night watchman. Only outvote was affected there, whereas tho retirement of Wilkinson meant hundreds of votes to Rood.

Sir J. Findlay stated in-support of the contention that the principal was responsible lor tho corrupt act of the agent, that lie knew of not one English ease in which the principal, even when entirely innocent of knowledge, was not disqualified from standing again (luring the wiioie term of Parliament. Sir John Findlay intimated that lie might not pursue tho other allegations in the petition.

In reply to Justice Chapman, he expressed doubt if the first two counts constituted penal acts. George Wilkinson stated that Johnston met him at Mangonni in May. Ihi I. ami on behalf of Reed offered hint a seal in the Conned, with an alternative 'offer from Heed to retire in favour of witness in twelve months if 1 10 (W ilkinson) would retire from the contest. Johnston also said lie came with Cabinet pledges and promises upon which witness could absolutely roly. Witness refused to entertain the alternative. and staled he could not entertain the Council promise until he had. received the consent of his supporters to retire in Reed’s favour.