Marine Commission.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4285, 21 July 1899, Page 2

Marine Commission.

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, July 91. Captain Allman was further crossexamined by Dr. Findlay. His account of the envelope memo, incident differed materially from both Mr Hall- Jones' and Mr Allport's statements. Witness swore that Mr Hall- Joms never gave him the memo., and he was also positive that he (witness) did not hand the memo, lo Mr Allport, v stated by Allport. Witness, in his account of what transpired at tbe in* terview with Mr Hall-Jones, said the latter remarked that he had luride up his mind to allow Captain Jones to go up for his examination without a mate's certificate, and he said he would give an order to the Department. In agree* ing to dispense with the mate's certifi* cate witness had a bona fide belief that Jones would be able to pass. There was no suggestion made to witness by tbe Minister or any one else that he should deal lenKntly with Captain Jones in his examination. The envelope memo, was brought to Mr Allport in witness' presence. So far as witness was concerned, there was not the slightest intention that Jones' examination Bhould be a bogus one. In passing Jones .witness admitted he bad done a stupid thing, but he had acted on the impulse of the moment, and it did not strike him it was illegal. The Commission adjourned. Allman, cross-examined by Mr Hislop, said even if Jones was credited with all the service claimed he is still short of the requisite amount. He had not spoken to tbe Premier prior to his departure to England. Was positive he had not spoken to him about the matter for two years. There were two messengers awaiting at the Btation when witness returned from Wanganui, one from the Premier and one from Mr Hall Jones The latter told witness the Minister wished to see him before he saw the Premier. Indirectly it was arranged between witness and Mr Hall* Jones that he was to tell the Premier nothing in regard to the charge about Jones. When after session closed Mr Hall-Jones told him Mr Hutcheson had said Jones' papers had been done in Yon Schoen's house, witness replied that Mr Hutcheson could no more say whether they were so done than witness could tell what was in that drawer, pointing to the Minister's drawer.