THE MOKAU CASE.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 1906, 23 October 1912, Page 2

THE MOKAU CASE.

CONTINUING THE INQUIRY

PEB PHEBB ABBOOIATION. Wellington, October 22. At the Mokau enquiry to-day, Mr 0. H. Treadwell, solicitor, of 'Wellington, who had acted professionally for Mr Jones, was the witness. He objected to go into the history of the case, which would take four" or five days to get up, but said he was ready to answer questions. When Jones began to examine him witness got mto conflict with him regarding Br. (now Sir John) Findlay's statement in the Legislative Council that he had refused to set up a. Commission. Mr I read well said that no doubt a letter of his (produced) correctly stated the position. He did not know why Jones should endeavour to brim/ him into conflict with Sir John FiiuP lav or any other person. His evidence before a similar committee last year gave the whole of the facts as he knew them, and could be taken as his statement at the present time. Jones: I think you are here as a witness. Witness: 1 don't want your comments on what I say. Petitioner asked witness several questions about Dr. Findlay's alleged refusal to give an enquiry, and the tact that the firm of Findlay and Dalziell were acting for Herrman Lewis.

Witness said he looked at things in a different light to Jones. He did not impute dishonesty to a man because his partner was acting in a case where he happened to be concerned politically. .Witness admitted having received payment of a bill of costs (about £85) from Leuwin and Co., solicitors, London, for work done for them on behalf of Jones, letitioner had never paid them sixpence in his life. All he ever did was 6 witness a note of hand for £1000, and he was prepared to discount it for a very liberal sum. Petitioner's method of questioning witness drew from the chairm_.ii a rebuke. It appeared as if the petitioner, ho said, doubted the veracity of witness.

Jones (heatedly): I do. The Chairman: That is not right lou must not say that.

Witness: Surely I am entitled to be protected from this kind of base insinuation. I have devoted years of my best ability and money in trying to have this man's wrongs—and they were undoubtedly grievous—righted". He submitted that it was a disgraceful thiiicr and claimed that a witness was entitled to as much protection before a committee as he would be before a court of law.

Jones then ceased questioning wit ness.