DOMINION NEWS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3007, 13 January 1923, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS

THE WAITOMO SEAT MAGISTERIAL RECOUNT (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TE KUITI, Jan. 11. The magisterial recount of the Waitomo electorate was completed this morning, and resulted:— Mr J. C. Rolloston .. 3418 Mr W. T. Jennings .. 3393 Informal .. .. 37 NO PROTEST TO BE LODGED TE KUITI, Jan. 12. Mr W. T. Jennings emphatically denies the persistent rumour that he intends to lodge a petition against the return of Mr Rolloston. ANOTHER ELECTION PETITION AGAINST DR POMARE WELLINGTON, this day. Hanupu Haerehuka has petitioned against Dr Pomare’s return at the recent election, alleging bribery in various forms. One charge is the giving of £37 to a native to secure the candidate's return. Others are the gift of a bottle of beer, treating electors, providing drink at Tauranga, and offering to secure work on railways. It is also alleged that threats wore used to exclude' beneficiaries under the Taranaki leases unless they voted for Pomare. Other promises to procure relief, offers of money, threats, and similar procedure, are alleged. Because of these matters the petitioner claims that Dr Pomare be incapacitated from serving the present Parliament, and claims that the election be voided.

The petitioner further alleged that there occurred irregularities, improprieties, and failures ta comply with legislature as to the taking of the poll. It is alleged that associates of deputy returning officers in many cases were active parties of Pomare, and they did not act impartially ,but interfered with electors in the booths, and canvassed for votes for Pomare. In some booths the name of the candidate written on the voting paper was not that of the candidate for whom the elector desired to vote.

Intoxicating liquor was supplied to Maoris on election day; that, at Pukekohe on election day free food and drink was supplied to electors presumed to be voting for Pomare; that many cases of doubles voting occurred, OPENING OP PARLIAMENT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 14, IN VIEW OF PETITIONS WELLINGTON, this day. As petitions against the return of certain members may not bo heard in time to permit the opening of Parliament on the suggested date —February 14th —it is probable that the meeting will be a few days later. 1116 Liberal leader, Mr T. M. Wilford, who has returned to Wellington, states that the date' Of the Liberal caucus has not yet been fixed. Until the party has discussed the political situation in all its bearings Mr Wilford would not say anything. MR A. E. G. RHODES’ WILL ESTATE SWORN AT £263,000 CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The will of tho late Mr A. E. G. Rhodes has been sworn for stamp duty purposes at £263,000. It provides only one publie bequest, namely, £2OOO, to the Christchurch College trustees, and the executors are Sir R. H. Rhodes, E. J. Ross, and M. 11. Godby, solicitors, and deceased’s only son, Mr Tahu Rhodes. The trustees are instructed, after payment of expenses and legacies to pay Tahu Rhodes two thirds, and the only daughter, Mrs G. H. Hutton, one third of the estate. A life. interest in To Koraha (the residence) is given to the widow, who receives £4500 a year. Each clerk employed for seven years by Messrs Rhodes, Ross and Godby receives six months ’ salary, and small sums are left to servants.

DOMINION FINANCE DECIDED IMPROVEMENT WELLINGTON, this day. Mr Massey states the Dominion’s revenue shows great improvement compared with six months ago. Last quarter was especially encouraging, and although there would be a falling off of inebme tax receipts in February, this could bo faced with confidence in the ability of the country to balance accounts on 31st March. The December revenue was £3,426,317', an increase of £413,000 on that of a year ago. The nine 1110111113’ revenue ■to- December Slat totalled £17,289,866, an increase of £984,340. The expenditure for the same period was £19,189,.457-, ar decrease of £28,545,930.