DEMOCRAT PARTY.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19825, 30 September 1936, Page 3

DEMOCRAT PARTY.

BAULPS SALARY CLAIM. Mr. Donald's Evidence. CASE FOR THE DEFENCE. CONTINUANCE OF PROCEEDINGS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.; AUCKLAND, Sept. 30.

The adjourned hearing of the claim of :H. .Baulf against, officials of the former Democrat Party was resumed in the Magistrate's. Court to-day before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M.

Continuing his evidence, Mr, Donald said Miss Foster, his secretary, who gave evidence yesterday, was lent to the Party. Cross-examined by Mr. Dickson, witness said he certainly considered Baulf had a moral claim for the money owing to him. '•Do you think Mr. Hislop should pay it," asked Mr. Dickson.

Witness: I understand there is sufiicient money of the Party in Mr. Hislop's possession to meet the claim. I consider Mr. Hislop should pay into the Party the money he holds, as it belongs to the Party. Mr. Dickson:'lf the Party cannot pay, then the plaintiff should go without the money owing him? Witness: A case~:may be brought into Court o'ver the funds of -the Party- now held in Wellington. I consider plaintiff's claim should be considered then.

Witness added that -the Party owed him close on £4OO. The £ISOO overdraft had been paid, but not the interest. He had looked to the central executive in Wellington for repayment of the moneys paid by him. Mr. Davy and Mr. Clark had control of the money in Wellington. "I never promised to pay Baulf," said witness. "I promised to do my best to see that he was paid." It was possible that he assured Baulf that his account would be paid, but that he would haVe to wait until the Wellington executive authorised the payment. The only meeting Avitness attended in Wellington was in May of this year. Mr. Davy had said Baulf would have to float or sink with the Party.

Witness said the account for £SO owing to Baulf was passed for payment by the Auckland • committee, but he did not think..it. .was paid. It was of little use writing, letters to Wellington, as they Were no't'answered. Most of the business Avas done, by telephone. '•'■ Had the : Wellington' executive done its part, some considerable donations would ha've been received by the Auckland committee; instead of which Auckland had to pay some accounts which should have been paid from Wellington. Mr. Dickson: What have you done with the books? You have got control of the room and the books. Witness: Do you suggest I ha've them? Mr. Dickson: Either you, or your young lady. Witness: I am sorry you take up this attitude. I would like to get hold of those books myself. The magistrate: I can understand many people would be interested in seeing that those books disappeared. Many people who had been connected with the Party whose names appeared on those books would wish to conceal the fact after the Party had failed, so as to be able to transfer their interests elsewhere.

Mr. Donald said it was two or three months after the election that he changed the keys. The furniture was still in the room. He did not know what was the legal position.

Cross-examined by Mr. North, appearing for Mr. Goodfellow, witness said that when Mr. Davy's attention was drawn to the amount owing to Baulf, Davy refused to approve of payment of the whole. amount, but part payment was made.

Mr.' Donald refused to give an opinion regarding.. Mr. Goodfellow's responsibility, witness statiiig that Baulf's employment was in the hands of Mr. Davy, Replying to the magistrate, witness said he first heard about the £3OOO odd being paid into Mr. HisJop' s account about the end of September, when it was first collected. DaVy had expressed himself as being annoyed by it. Witness also was annoyed, as he considered the Wellington executive was not keeping to its bargain with shim. Two cheques of £750 each pakl into witness's account came from the £3OOO, and were signed by Hislop. This was a repaymeut of £ISOO he paid into the Party temporarily. Witness did not hold' hmisclf responsible to pay Baulf if the Party did not have sufficient funds.

Cross-examined by Mr. Butler, appearing for Davy, witness said every candidate promised £l5O. .Witness did not get his, but hoped to be paid all owing to him. This closed tho evidence. Mr. Elliot, who is appearing for Mr. Hislop, is addressing the Court.