THE STOKE COMMISSION CLOSED.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10733, 13 August 1900, Page 6

THE STOKE COMMISSION CLOSED.

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NELSON, August 11. At the Stoke Commission this morniag, Brothers Loetiis atfd Wibertus were present, having postponed their departure for Sydney and returned to Nelson in consequence of certain recent allegations. Mr Fell, on behalf of the management, put in a letter written by Lane, a witness against the management, in June lasfc to Brother Loetas, which was most cardial in tone, asking that a situation at the orphanage should be given him, and concluding" with the words, "I remain, your loving friend. Good-bye;, may God bless you." The Commissioners called for Williara Ross, who the night previous had handed the Commissioners a written statement, insinuating criminal charges. Ross did not appear, another witness stating, that Ross said he would not come unless sent for. Mr Wardell said Ross was liable to punishment. The boy Thomas Lynch, fourteen years of age, a present inmate, was then oalled by the Commissioners, he being apparently the boy indicated in. same way by Ross. Lyncli, in reply to the Comrtission&rs, said ho bad made a statement to Father George Mahoney regarding certain allegations re Bro. Wibertus, but irow declared they were abso-. lutely untrue, and that .he had been put up by three cither 'boys, wfoom be named, .to do so. Closely pressed by the CommUseioners and Mr Hogben, he adhered to the statement tliat what he had told Father Mahoney in the first instance was a lie, and there was no truth in the charges. Father George Mahoney aJso gave evidence, showing that the" boy Thomas Lynch made two statements to him, one alleging certain acts to' Brother Wibertus, ihe other declaring he had told, lies, being pat , up to them by boys. Bro. Wibertus, cm oath, gave an emphatic denial. A w&imm' named Ross, who had lodged: a complaint on the previous day, sent a message he would snot attend unless sent for. No _ further complaints being forthcoming, either here or in Wellington, the Court declared the enquiry closed. The Commissioners are to report by the 19th inst. - ,