ALLEGED MALPRACTICES AT THE WAIMATE POLLING-PLACE, (CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1876 Session I, H-28

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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

ALLEGED MALPRACTICES AT THE WAIMATE POLLING-PLACE, (CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE).

Settirn to an Order of the House of Representatives, No. 1, dated 22nd June, 1876. " That all papers connected with alleged malpractices at the Waitnate polling place, at the Bay of Islands election, on 17th January, 1876, be laid on the table of this House." — (Mr. Williams.)

No. 1. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 18th March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit, for the consideration of the Government, a copy of the interpretation of a letter addressed to me by Heta te Haara, of Ohaeawai, complaining of the manner in which the recent election of a member for the General Assembly was conducted in that district. 9 I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. G. Gbet.

Enclosure in No. 1. Heta te Haaba to Sir G-eobge Grey. To Sib George Gbet, — Ohaeawai, 28th January, 1876. O Friend, greeting to you. I desire to make known to you my opinions with regard to the election held at the Waimate. I have every reason to believe the voting at the Waimate was not conducted properly. When I introduced a man to give his vote, the Europeans asked him whom he intended to vote for. My man answered them, 1 am here to give my vote for Lundon. The Europeans then ordered my man out of doors, afterwards called him to come back and give his vote to Mr. Williams. This man was induced by them then to record his vote for Mr. Williams. With regard to this sort of interference, I think the European missionaries are much to blame in this matter. Another thing I have to complain of in this case is that men were forcibly dragged away by the hands of these men and pressed to vote for Williams. All my own men were deceived, and induced to desert me. Then I was very ill during the time the election took place, and was not able to prevent my men from leaving me. A considerable amount of confusion took place at the polling places, because we were forced to travel about forty miles to reach the appointed voting places. There was no polling place at Kaihu. I ask who is to blame for this neglect, the Magistrate of the district, or the Returning Officer in charge of the voting stations. Heta te Haaba.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetary to His Honor the Supebintendent, Auckland. Sic, — "Wellington, 30th March, 1876. In reply to your Honor's letter of the 18th instant, transmitting copy of the interpretation of a letter from Heta te Haara, I have the honor to request that a copy of the original Maori letter may be forwarded also. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. C. C. Bowen.

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No. 3. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 6th April, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 30th ultimo, No. 108, and to forward, in return, the original Maori letter received by me from Heta te Haata, of which a translation was forwarded to you by me on the 18th March. I have, &c, Eeadee Wood, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. (for the Superintendent).

For the Under Secretary, Native Department.—G. S. Coopee.—April 11th, 1876. Hon. Native Minister.—l would suggest that this be referred to the Eesident Magistrate for inquiry and report. —H. T. Claeke.—l2th April, 1876. Approved.—Donald McLean.

Kia Kawana Keeei, — Ohaeawai, Hanuere 28, 1876. E hoa, —Tena koe. He kupu tena naku ki a koe mo te mahi ote Poti, ka nui te he o taua mahi. Itera i tv ai te poti o te Waimate, ka tomo atu taku tangata, ka uwi mai nga pakeha ko wai tau c poti ai, ka mea taua tangata ko Eanana. Ka mea aua pakeha, haere ki waho, heoi ano haere ana ki waho. * Muri iho, ka mea me hold mai kite poti mo Mita Hane Wiremu—ka poti ano taua tangata — tetahi mahi kino tenei na nga pakeha Mitinare tenei. Tetahi ko nga tangata he mea kukume kite ringaringa ote tangata, kia poti ki aTe Wiremu. Pau katoa aku tangata i aua Pakeha te tinihanga. I mate hoki au i taua ra, na reira aku tangata i riro ai i aua Pakeha. Tenei tetahi ko nga whare poti, kihai i tika aua whare, kore kau i Kaihu. Na wai ra tenei he na te Kaiwhakawa oTe Takiwa nei ranei, Da nga kai panui ranei. Heoi c rua ano nga whare poti o konei, 40 macro te roa ka tae mai kite potii te Waimate. Heoi ano, na to hoa, Heta te Haaea.

No. 4. Mr. E. M. Williams, E.M., to the Under Secketaet, Native Office. Eesident Magistrate's Office, Wairnate, Bay of Islands, Sib,— 25th May, 1876. In compliance with your memoranda relative to Heta te Haara's letter to Sir George Grey, complaining of the manner in which the election at Waimate was conducted, referred to me for inquiry and report, I have the honor to transmit herewith the written statements made by Heta te Haara, Mr. Henry Williams, and Mr. Marsden Clarke, as also that given by Piri Tauhara, the Native referred to in Heta te Haara's letter, as having been ordered out of the polling booth. I would remark that, after Heta te Haara had made his statement, finding Piri Tauhara was not present, I adjourned the inquiry for two hours, and sent to Ohaeawai, requesting this Native to attend, deeming it important that his statement should be taken. I enclose herewith two letters addressed by Sir George Grey to Heta te Haara, which that chief has requested may accompany these papers. I refrain from commenting upon the above case, leaving the statements herewith enclosed to speak for themselves. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Office, Wellington. Edwd. M. Williams, E.M.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. E taktj hoa aeoha E Heta te Haea, — Akarana, 28th December, 1875. Kua hoatu a au tenei pukapuka ki a Honi Lundon kia atawhaitia ia i a koutou, notemea c hiahia ana a au mo tenei tangata he hoa moku. Na to hoa aroha, Na G. Geet.

[Translation.] Mx dear fbiend Heta te Haaea, — Auckland, 28th December, 1875. I have given this letter to John Lundon, that you may show kindness to him, because I wish this man to be a companion for me. Prom your loving friend, G. Geet.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. E taku hoa aboha E Heta te Haaba, — Auckland, 18th March, 1876. Tena koe, kua tae mai ki aau to reta ote2B o nga ra o Hanuere. E Tama kua tono aau to pukapuka, kite Kawanatanga, kia whakaaroatia i a ratou, na to hoa aroha, na G. Gbey.

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[Tbanslation.] Mt deae friend Heta te Haaea, — Auckland, 18th March, 1876. Salutations to you. I have received your letter of the 28th of January. Friend, I have sent your letter to the Government, that they may carefully consider it. From your loving friend, G. GREY.

No. 5. Ko Heta te Haara i korero ka mea:— E tika ana te pukapuka kua whakakitea mama,i na, naku i tuhituhi ki aTa Hori Kerei. Te take i tuhituhi ai ahau, na Te Ranana i mea mai kia tuhia c ahau ki aTa Hori Kerei. I korerotia c ahau ki a ia, ko Piri Tauhara i riro ki to Mita Hane ingoa. I korero a Piri Tauhara, na Mita Henare Wiremu i mea atu ki aia c kore ia c tuhituhi i tona ingoa. Ka hoki ia ki waho ka tohea c Kawhe hoki ana ia ki roto a pooti ana kia Mita Hane Wiremu. Kahore ahau i te whare pooti i taua ra, i rongo korero ahau ki a Piri, nana te kupu i kumea nga tangata kite ringaringa c nga pakeha i roto ite whare. I rongo ahau ko Mita Matenga Karaka, ko Mita Henare Wiremu i roto i te whare, ko raua anake. Heta te Haaea.

[Translation.] Heta te Haaea states as follows: — I acknowledge the letter now produced as having been written by me to Sir George Grey. My reason for writing it was that Mr. Lundon told me to write to Sir George Grey. I had remarked to him (hat Piri Tauhara had been won over to Mr. John Williams's name. He stated that Mr. Henry Williams had said lie would not record his name, that when he went out of the polling booth he was persuaded by Goffe, that he returned and voted for Mr. John Williams. I was not at the poll myself, but was informed by Piri. It was he who said that men were dragged by the hand by the Europeans who were in the polling booth. I was informed that Mr. Marsden Clarke and Mr. Henry Williams were the only Europeans in the polling booth. Heta te Haara. Ko Piri Tauhara i korero ka mea:— Hoki atu ahau i konei, ka mea mai ahau c Heta, i Pooti koe mo wai ? Ka ki atu ahau, kua raru ahau i waho i a Kawhe, ka ki mai ia, he kuware nou kahore koe i matau kite whakahoki kupu ki a Kawhe. Ka ki atu ano ahau, he tohe tonu no Kawhe ki aau, ka tomo ahau kite whare, ka tv ahau kite pahi, ka pataia ahau, c Mita Henare, mo wai koe ? Ka mea atu ahau mo Banana. Ka ki ake a Mita Henare, a c kore ahau c tuhituhi i a koe. Heoi ano ka puta ahau ki waho, roa noa atu ka hoki mai ahau ki roto ki to whare aka pooti. Ko ahau te tangata c kiia ana i roto i.te reta a Heta te Haara. Kahore ho kupu a nga pakeha pei moku ki waho, kahore he kupu karanga o roto o te whare, kia hoki mai a hau, naku ano ahau i haere mai. Kahore ah'au i korero ki a Heta i peia ahau ki waho. Henry Williams here said, before proceeding to question Piri Tauhara, I beg it to be distinctly understood that lam not here on compulsion. I attend on my own free will, and am only too glad to have the opportunity; but I do not know before what tribunal I am arraigned. There are two processes known to the law —one before the Supreme Court, and one before the Select Committee of the House. What is the nature of this tribunal Ido not know. lam now ready either to make a statement, or to answer questions, and am willing to be examined upon oath. I would now wish to ask Piri Tauhara a few questions. Piri Tauliara to Mr. H. Williams.'] I.taku tomokanga kite whare ka me a atu ahau ki a koe, kua he ta taua korero i waho. Kahore koe i pei ia au ki waho kahore koe i karanga ia au kia hoki mai, kahore ahau i tohea i roto i te whare kia pooti ki a wai ki a wai, tika tohu mai a hau ka pooti a ka puta ki waho. Kahore ahau i korero ki a Heta he mea pei ahau ki waho. To the Deputy Returning Officer, Marsden Clarke.] I tika tonu mai ahau ki a Mita Henare me taku kupu no reira koe i ki mai ai ki a au c kore c tika te korero i konei, mehemea he korero tau me haero ki waho korero ai, haere ana ahau ki waho. Ite tuarua o aku tomokanga, ka tika tonu ahau ki a koe, ka vi mai koe, c matau ana ranei koe kite Pooti, ka mea atu ahau kahore, mau c mea iho, no reira koe i patai mai ai, ko wai tau c pooti ai ka mea atu ahau ko Mita Hane Wiremu. Kahore kau maua ko Mita Henare i korerorero i roto i te whare. Kahore ahau i peia ki waho. Kahore ahau i karangatia c te hunga o te whare kia hoki atu. Pihi Tauhaea (his x mark). "Witness to mark— Edward M. Williams.

[TRANSLATION.] Pihi Tatjhara states as follows : — "When I returned, Heta asked me whom I had voted for. I replied, " I was baffled outside by Goffe." He said it was through my stupidity in not knowing how to answer him. I told him Gofle was very persistent with me. When I entered the booth I stood by the rail, and Mr. Henry Williams asked me which candidate I was for. I said, "for Lundon." Mr. Williams then said, "in that case Ido not write you down." This was all. I then went out. After being some considerable time outside, I returned and voted. I am the person referred to in Heta te Haara's letter. No word was uttered by the Europeans ordering me out; I was not called back by any one within the booth, but returned of my own free will. I did not tell Heta that I was ordered out.

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To Mr. H. Williams.~\ When I entered the booth I told you that our conversation had come to nought. You did not order me out, nor did you call me back. I was not influenced in the booth to vote either way. I came in, voted at once, and went out again. I did not tell Heta that I was ordered out. To Mr. M. Clarke.] I came direct to Mr. H. Williams with my remark, when you said "No conversation can be allowed here; if you have any remarks to make, you must go outside and talk." I then went out. On entering the second time I went at once to you ; you asked me if I understood how to vote. I said, " No, will you do it for me ?" You then asked me who I intended to vote for, and I replied " for Mr. John Williams." Mr. Henry Williams and I had no conversation in the booth. I was not ordered out, nor was I called back by any one in the booth. Piei Tauhaea (his x mark). Heney Williams expressing a wish to ask Heta te Haara a few questions, was answered as follows: — Na To Eanana ahau i tohe kia tuhi i taua reta, he utu mo te reta a Ta Hori Kerei ki a au i maua mai c Banana, ki Hone Mohi tetahi, ki a Eaniera Wharerau tetahi, kia Te Tai tetahi. Na Hori Kerei katoa enei reta, he tono i a matou kia pooti mo Eanana. E pai ana ahau kia homai taua feta kia apititia ki enei korero kia takoto marama ai. Heta te Haaea.

[Translation.] It was Lundon urged me to write that letter, as a reply to one from Sir G-eorge Grey to me brought by Lundon, also one to Hone Mohi, one to Raniera Wharerau, and one to Te Tai. All these letters were from Sir George G-rey, asking us to vote for Lundon. lam willing that this letter should be appended to these statements, in order that all may be made clear. Heta te Haaea. Henby Williams states as follows:— I am given to understand I am accused of improper conduct whilst acting as scrutineer, of canvassing in the polling booth. When once I accepted the office of scrutineer, I did not canvass nor ask any individual in the polling booth for whom he intended to vote. That I canvassed before is notorious, and I beg leave to state that one great reason for my activity in doing so is that I had been informed that Sir George Grey himself had canvassed for Lundon, by letters to Maori chiefs in the district, and I thought it my duty to counteract the influence of a person who is not even an elector of the district, but is Superintendent of the province. H. Williams. Mabsden Claeke states as follows :— I was acting as Deputy Eeturning Officer in charge .of the polling booth at Waiinate during the last European election, and can positively state that no irregularity took place within the polling booth. The Native, Piri Tauhara, in his ignorance, did address himself to Mr. Williams, the scrutineer, when he was immediately checked by myself, and. no conversation took place in the booth. M. Claeke. The above statements taken at Waimate, written on the foregoing sheets of paper numbering from to , were taken and written by me this 22nd day of May, 1876. Edwaed M. Williams, E.M.

By Authority : Q-eobgke Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price 3d.]