THE MARINE SCANDAL.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10265, 22 April 1899, Page 4

THE MARINE SCANDAL.

[per press association]. Wellington, April 21. When Jones's case was resumed Gully Baid lie had been unable to find Captain Jones to serve a subpoena. The Judge commented strongly on the fact of defendant keeping out of the way. Gray said he did not know where he was and had not seen him since Monday. He was in fact nob directly instructed by Jones. Captain Allman was then called bufc pleaded privilege. Aftor considerable argument Denniston ruled that he could not be^ompelled to answer if liable fco incriminate himself. : Allman said he was very anxious to give evidence if covered by indemnity, but could not run fche risk of two years' imprisonment. Hall-Jones, Minister for Marine, do-, taled the circumstances under which his memo came to be written. There was a question as to whether Jones could go up for examination without a special permit, and he made a rough memo on the envelope " Jones Duco permit exam master" to remind him to ask Glasgow, the Secretary of the Department, about the permit afterwards. He gave ifc to Allman to enquire into, and the next he heard of ifc was in court. Upon demanding an explanation from the officials, they°said Allman had brought it to them saying witness had instructed him that Jones was to be allowed to sifc. He expressed his aston ishment afc the rough, unsigned mein being used as an official authority, an

censured those concerned. When he asked Allman about Hutcheson's speech in the House, tho former said the statements were totally untrue. In the Supreme Court this afternoon, before Judge Denniston, the case in which the Crown asked for the cancella--1 tion of the Master's certificate issued to Captain Jones and that an injunction be issued preventing his using such certificate was concluded. Gray for Jones, who was not present, contended the Court had no jurisdiction and that a proper examination had been held, and further there was no proof ; and that cancellation could only take place as provided by certain sections of the Statute. His Honor, in giving judgment, said he was clearly of opinion that Jones had nob possessed bhe necessary qualifications bo go up for a Master's examination and that the certificate had been obtained by fraudulent means. He referred to the absence of defendant and said the examination papers which Jones had presented to the examiners had previously been prepared with the necessary answers. His Honor said no Minister or other person had authority to waive tho qualifications necessary for an applicant for a Master's certificate. He had no doubt the examination had been a sham and, a deliberate fraud ; and that the Department had been induced to issue the certificate to Junes by fraud also ; that Captain Edwin had been induced to sign the report to the Marine Department by fraud. His Honor overruled the objection that the court had no jurisdiction, and said it would bo a regrettable state ofthings if in a case where the interests -Of public life and 'property were at stake the court could not step in to prevent the use of any privilege being granted under certain conditions, and which had been I obtained by fraud. His Honor granted the application of tho Crown with costs against Jones.