ELECTION PETITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10416, 21 March 1912, Page 3

ELECTION PETITION.

THIS WAIRAU CASE. | I'l'.n Phkss Association.]

BLENHEIM, March 21

The Election Court this morning resumed the hearing of the charge against It. M'Calluni of making contracts with Edward Parker for payment on account of tlio conveyance of electors to and. from the poll, for the purpose of promoting Mr M'Callum's election.

Mr Sinclair re-examined Frank Morrison regarding tho allegations made Yesterday in reference to interviews with Mr Sinclair.

Witness denied saying that when he went to town on Saturday after the interview at Rcnwick ho would go to Macoy and get the money. He also denied tolling Mr Sinclair afterwards that the reason why he had not seen Macey was that he was late in coming into town and it. was raining, lie did not say "Mv people would not like to have a granger about the place.'' When Mr Sinclair brought up a man to take his place in bis father-in-law's harvest field at Renwick for two days lie did not promise to come early to town on New Year's Eve and see Macey. It was an absolute untruth to say that he promised to see Macey at church on December 31 and get the money. He. did not. sav on New Year's Day that he had decided to abandon tlio matter because he woiikl injure himself and his family. Me did not nay that lie had not seen Widen, but that ho had written a letter which was then lying nt his house.

Edward Francis Heal.v, one of Mr Duncan's secretaries, said that Morrison told hi in that lie had been offered and accepted £1 a day to canvass Mr WifFeu's supporters for Mr M'Calluni between the two ballots, lie told witness at Ren wick that he had come to assist Macartney to address the Renwick electors for Mr M'Cnllmn. Ho said ho felt awkward at having to go on the stride, as he bad no intention' of voting for Mr M'Calluni. Morri-son said few words at the meeting regarding Mr Wiffen's late supporters. /Morrison approached him the night before tho second ballot, and informed him that Mr A. M'Calluni and himself had been at the Mima ward and Seddort. and most, of Mr Wiffen's supporters wero going to support Mr M'Calluni. He gave witness letters to give to the chairman of Mr M'Callum's meeting that evening, a« he. said he did not care to give them himself.

To Mr Justice Chapman : Tie did not know what -Morrison's game was. Morrison never tried to make any money out, of witness's side. Ho placed no reliance on what Morrison said,

Hoaly. continuing, said that he had paid E. Parker £.'l3 for the hire of cars for the election days, and during tho campaign Hogan offered the witness vehicles for use on polling days, but not free. To Mr Slcerrett: Was aware that it wan not proper for Mr Duncan to hiro caro for use on election days. No montion ot price or terms was made when he interviewed Parker. This was witness's own liability, and payment was made bv him partly out of the funds provided by Mr Duncan. Mr Duncan gave witness a cheque for £2OO odd to pay all the election expenses. He could not say that the £33 M as not included in Mr.Duncan's cheque. To Mr Justice Chapman : Both witness and Ferguson, Mr Duncan's other secretary, were out of pocket over tho election.

To Mr Skerrott: Ferguson fonvnt'dod tlio Iweipts to Mr Duncan. Ferguson and witness ordered cars for the election days in their own names ;nid the rnrs for the riimpiiign in -Mr Duncan's. Ho ha (1 no recollection of having a conversation with Mr Duncan on tbo hiring of cars on the election dare, and could not say that Mr Duncan paid no part of ,the bill for the hiro of oars for the election days. Witness hired four vehicles from stables other than M/Tvenzie's for use on the election days. itness admitted that when he interviewed Hogan rpgardiiig vehicles Hognn did not use the word "hire.'' Witness was not encouraging Morrison in plaving false to Mr M'Callmn, but had to listen to him. He would not swear that Mr Sinclair did not tell him that he had peon Morrison, and that Morrison had mid tlmt lio rooeivod money from Maeoy. He had not nnid .£•'> towards the cost of the petition. Arthur ono -of the candidates at Inst election, said that Morrison worked for him. for five or six years. On the Monday before the second ballot lie approached witness, and asked if he would have any objection to Morrison working: on of Mr MVallum, because Mftice.v had undertaken to pay him £1 per day. Morrison .said that -Macev told him that the monct bail nothing to do with Mr M'Callmn, and was to come out of the fighting fluid. "Witness told Morrison to please himself. Tt did occur to witness that it was wrong for .Morrison to take the money, nnd sent for him to tell him to be careful, but Morrison did not come. William James O'Xoill Raid that Morrison told him that ho was gettinsr CI a day for canvassing for Mr .M'Callum. Witness treated tlio statement as a joke. Henly recalled said that Mr Diiucnn gave him a cheque for £l7l os Pd on the bank of New South Wales, Blenheim.

To Mr Skorrett: Dirt not know whether Mr Duncan l:;ul returned his expenses as £79. William K. Loudon said that Morrison offered to show liim a ballot-paper at tlx 3 second ballot ns (in indication of his not voting for Mr M'Callinn.