THE RAWSON COMMISSION.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7268, 26 March 1889, Page 6

THE RAWSON COMMISSION.

[PRESS association telegram.] NEW PLYMOUTH, March 25. The Rawson Commission resumed this morning. Mr Jones' first charge against Mr Rawson consists of corruption, perjury, partiality, xralice, conspiracy, denying the existence of the Most High Being, and his general conduct and want of sobriety unfit him to command the respect due to a gentleman holding the position of Judge and Magistrate. The second charge states that whilst sitting on the Bench he wickedly prevented the true course of justice and conspired with others to prevent Jones having a fair and impartial trial; that during the hearing of the conspiracy cases on the 19th and 20th of April, 18S6 ; Rawson's conductandlahguage on the Bench was highly slanderous, abusive, and insulting, and that he had the appearance of being under the influence of liquor; and generaUy during the whole case Rawson acted in a wickedly corrupt and malicious manner with the intent to defeat the ends of justice. The fourth and fifth charges are somewhat similar in language. The whole of the morning was taken up in discussing the charges with the Commissioners, and Jones is now opening his own case.

After Mr Jones had spoken for some time Commissioner Reid asked complainant to confine himself to proving the charges made. Jones replied, "I am not competent, apparently, and had better retire." Commissioner Reid said: " Now, listen, and don't be impertinent, or else we shall have to take some other steps. You must confine yourself to the first charge of maladministration of justice and corruption, and it is the duty of the Commissioners to confine you to those charges/ Jones then wanted to call Mr Rawson, but Commissioner Reid said Mr Rawson need not go into the witness box, as the charge was a criminal one, and he need not. give evidence to incriminate himself. Mr Samuel, as Mr Rawson's counsel, handed to Jones certain letters sent by Mr Rawson to Government in reply to the same charges when brought before Ministers. Jones, after reading for some time, jumped up, and wanted Corkill arrested for carrying a revolver about to shoot him. Commissioner Reid said—We have had this kind of thing once or twice, let us have an understanding. Do you say you will not proceed, that you withdraw out of the cases ? Jones said he would first finish Mr Rawson's letters in answer to the charges. Mr Samuel said the next best thing for Jones to do was, if he could not get Mr Rawson in the box, to get these letters put in as evidence, as Jones would have to return the letters. The papers were re turned, and the Court adjonrned till two o'clock. Latbb. Jones also attempted to bring forward new witnesses to prove that the Natives perjured themselves on the assault case when Jones was fined by Mr Rawßon for assaulting Natives. The Commissioners ruled that no new witnesses could be called, only those witnesses that appeared before Mr Rawson during the hearing of the case. Jones then said it would be impossible for him to proceed with his charges if he could not get the evidence he wanted. The Commissioners adjourned till tomorrow, when other persons who have laid charges, but have failed to appear to support them, will be finally called upon to do so The Commission is therefore now practically closed.