THE WAITEMATA ELECTION PETITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4867, 5 February 1894, Page 3

THE WAITEMATA ELECTION PETITION.

.«. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 5. The hearing of the petition by Mr Jackson Palmer to unseat Mr Bichard Monk, M.H.B. for Waitemata, commenced at the Supreme Court before Mr Chief Justice Prendergast and Mr Justice Conolly this morning. The petition alleges corrupt practices by Mr Monk and hia agents. Mr Baume appeared for Mr Palmer, and Mr Button for Mr Monk. The defence admittednothing. In hia opening Mr Baume said that Mr Monk promised, if eleoted, to distribute part of his honorarium amongst the institutions of the district. Mr Button submitted that for a member to give part of his honorarium to a library waa not a breaoh of the Act. Mr Baume said it would also be proved that Mr Monk gave it to be understood that money would be given to private persons who were sick. Mr Monk had promised to band back to the district each year .£9O of hia honorarium. Euler Perkine identified a document produced as a facsimile of a circular issued by E. W. Monk, containing a list of questions for Mr Palmer. Witness said that Mr Monk had denied knowledge of the circular, but agreed to take the responsibility, saying that he felt proud of his son, and that anyone who could formulate questions like that must have something in hia head. (Laughter.)