BRIBERY AT THE EAST COAST.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2313, 28 March 1876, Page 3

BRIBERY AT THE EAST COAST.

EEGINA V. PITT. The information in this case was as follows :—" That John Harris MoCaw hath just causo to suspect, and doth suspect, that Cholwell Dean Pitt, of Poverty Bay, in the province of Auckland, gentleman, at Tauranga, in the proviuce of Auckland, New-Zealand, did on or about the sth day of January, 1876, make a gift of money to one Fairfax Johnson, of Wairoa, near Tauranga, in the colony of New Zealand, in order to induce the said Fairfax Johnson to procure tho votes of certain electors in favour of George Edward Bead at an election of a person to serve in the House of EepresentativesofNow Zealand for the district of the East Coast in New Zealand, held at Tauranga, in New Zealand, among other places on the 6th day of January, 1876."

The following is the principal evidence reported in the Bay of Plenty Times :- Fairfax Johnson deposed: I am a settler residing at the Wairoa, Tauranga. I remember the defendant C. Dean Pitt; I remember seeing Major Pitt about the 4th of January, on the' Strand, Tauranga. I bad some conversation with Major Pitt, and after salutation, he asked me if I had promisod my vote to anyone. I said no, but that I was on Captain Morris's committee ; he said, why not vote for the old man, meaning Captain Read. I asked him what was his figure. He asked me what I would take. I told him if he would place £20 in my hands I would procure him all the votes I could. He said, I will give it to you. I saw him again on the day of the polling, the 6th, about half-past 10 in the morning. I met him on the Strand, and asked him where he was going. Ho replied, I am looking for you. We went together to Mr Bead's committee roomac tho old Victoria Hotel, opposite this Court-house, I then made a list of Ihe natives who had promised me they would vote for Mr Read; certain papers wore-made out for the voters; immediately afterwards Major Pitt aad I went into the back room, and he handed me 20 one pound notes. It was an understood thing that tho money was paid for my vote and influence, In tho first instance Major Pitt told me that, if T would give my vote and use my influence, he would givo me £20; my Influence was to be used with the natives to cause them to vote for Captain Head. Immediately after I received the money, I took it to the natives and half-castes behind tho redoubt, and gave 10 of them £1 each; those

natives wore on the roll. I saw some of them go into the polling-booth. Cross-examined by Mr Heskoth: To the best of my knowledge and belief my first interview with Major Pitt was towards evening on the 4th of January, on the Strand; we did not go into any house that I can remember; it was close to the Tauranga Hotel j no one elsewas present; it was daylight; we were by ourseives; I have no doubt of it; we did not go into any- house during the conversation; I think the day of the week was Tuesday; what I have stated in my exainination-in-chief is to the best of my knowledge all that took' place at that time j I met Major Pitt again on the 6th, near the same place on the Strand; we did not go into any building before we went into the committee rooms; we wore by ourselves on that occasion; there was aMr Hallowes, who was acting as secretary to Major Pitt, in the front room; we had no conversation in the first room wo entered about the giving of money or procuring of votes; there was no.one present in the back room when I retired there with Major Pitt; when I went into the committee I made out a list of the natives who had promised to vote in the interval between the 4th and 6th; I saw those .persons in Consequence of tho first interview I had with Major Pitt; they live about four miles away from Tauranga, and about 200 yards from my own house; the election had begun when I had the second interview ; I had not then voted, nor had the natives j it was understood that I should vote and use my iufluence for Captain Read; it was so agreed, and I accepted tho £20 on that arrangement and for that purpose; I will refer you to the ballotbox to discover whether I voted for Captain Read or not; I decline to state who I; voted for, but previous to my voting I had agreed to voto for Captain Bead; I had informed othor persons since the 6th of January whattook place between myself and Major Pitt; in so doing I have always told them the same as I have now stated; I have never said since the 9th that I gave ten natives £2 each; I have not since the 9th said to any one thai I did not agree with the defendant to vote myself, or any thing to that effect; in giving my testimony I merely do so to see justice done; I am. giving this evidence because I believe it will affect Captain Reed's seat, and because I desire it to affect : it, as it ■ was obtained through bribery. _ ' Cross-examination continued: No one was ever present when I had conversation with Major Pitt about his giving money for my procuring votes. Mr Hesketh addressed the Courtfor the defence, but declined to adduoe rebutting evidence. The accused was formally .committed for trial, bail being allowed. The second charge, which was for a similar affair in connection with a Maori named Hori Ngatai, was supported by native evidence, and resulted in a similar was to the foregoing.