Entre Nous

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 188, 2 January 1904, Page 12

Entre Nous

MR. William Smart, the superintending engineei of the Union S.S. Company, was paying a brief visit to Wellington the other day. Mr. Smart occupies one of the best-paid and most resi onsible billets in the Red-Funnel fleet. His salary is £1000 a year, and his headquarters are in Sydney, where it is a familiar sight to see him dashing about the harbour on his smart little oillaunch. He is not a Home importation. No, William belongs to New Zealand, and worked his way up from the ranks to the coveted position he holds to-day among steamship engineers. ♦ * * He learnt his trade at the Phoenix Foundry of Geo. Fraser and Sons, in Auckland, who, in their day and generation, have turned out many first-class men, and he pushed his way through the engine-rooms of the Union Company's steamers until at last he came out on top. Mr. Smart is entirely a colonial product, but his forbears hark back to the land of brown heath and shaggy heath, where all the best engineers sprang from. There is another scion of the Smart family — a younger brother of Superintendent William — in Wellington, acting as traveller for the timber firm of Stuart and Co. And there are others in Taranaki, who have a large say in the plumbing business, and can also hold up their end of the stick in a game of bowls. * * • "I feel a bit chippy, Mr. Pestle. Can't sleep, you know , want to feel fit for Christmas. Make me up something, will you?" Thus a popular and well-known citizen to a local chemist. "All right. I'll send you round a powder. Take as much as will go on a sixpence every two hours, and you'll be as fit as a fiddle," responded he of the shop. The powder duly arrived, in a nice square little packet. The citizen carried out the orders. He broke a little corner off the packet, and declared he felt better "from the jump." Of course, like all men, he left the powder lying about. His> wife saw it and "cleared it away." She noticed, however, that it was labelled "The powder — - for Mrs. X.. to be used as required." She apprised her husband of the fact that complexion powders are not as a rule taken inwardly, and also now understands the unnatural pinkiness of Mr. X's complexion. The well-known citizen is anxiously awaiting developments.

Sixteen officers of + he New South Wales forces will shortly be wearing a weird, uncanny-looking medal, with a twisted dragon on the obverse. It is a special decoration, awarded by the American army, and given to their own distinguished officers and colonials who were associated with them in the expedition to North China. You remember, of course, that there are a few New South Wales men wearing the Egyptian medal and the Khedive's "star." These tley won by camping on a sandy spot for a short time during the Egyptian bother. Colonials were not then taken seriously as soldiers. Since which the British Army has found out some thiners. Notwithstanding handicaps, the New South Wales men made a capture during the Egyptian trouble. The prisoners are in the Sydney Zoo. They are a couple of particularly pretty little asses of Egyptian extraction. * * * A -man burst into the Lance office yesterday, and told us a yarn. Says it's original, and was nob made in America. Maybe he's right. Perhaps, he's wrong. An interesting Thorndon youngster, he says, asked his father where he was born. "London, my son," said the proud parent. "Where was mother born pa?" enquired the olive branch. "Auckland, Tommy, my boy." "And where I born, pa?" "Wellington, my child. Why?" "Well, I was thinking what a queer thing it is that we three people should meet'" If it's a chestnut we apologise. * * Holiday trains on the New Zealand railw ays were of course run with promptness and despatch during the holidays. Some little hitches occurred, due, no doubt, to the exuberance cf feeling engendered by the festivities of Yule-tide. On the railway near Tokomaru on Christmas Eve the up-tram suddenly slowed down, and stopped. It was between one or two o'clock in the morning. A guard alighted, as also did another man. The passengers, fearing instant death, or at least collision, hung out of the carriages, and listened anxiously. "I tell yer it's pronounced Tokomaaru!" said thei guard, emphasising the point with an agitated finger on the palm of an outstretched hand. "You're another. It's 'Tokca'aroo." For ten minutes the waiting passengers soothed their restive souls by blowing calls on twopenny squeakers while the guard and another thrashed out the pronunciation of the word. * # * A good story is told a propos of the recent test cricket match. On the morning of the last day of the match the usual batch of drunks was being run through the Magistrate's Court in Wellington. One of them was a young fellow, who put some questions to the arresting constable. "Have you anything more to say?" asked the Jai Pee ere he slapped on the fine. "Yes," said the prisoner. "Beggin' your Honor's pardon, could you tell me the result of the cricket match against the Englishmen?"

"Dew drop Dauby" is the title of the newest book of Australian humour, and we aie indebted to Messrs. Gordon, and Gotch for a copy of the second edition. P is a collection of short stories, nearly all of which centre around some decayed old mining township where once upon a time diggers and gold were plentiful. There are thirteen of these tales and sketches. All of them are readable, some are very amusing, and the writer tells his story with a happy, unforced style of humour. "Grandpai Bagot,' 1 and "The Courtship at Libherty Flat" are particularly well told. * * * Harold Hansell is the author, and his dedication is rather quaint : "To the Old Gentleman with the iron-grey side whiskers, who so earnestly implored me 'not to set the Thames on fire,' I dedicate this spark towards that impending conflagration." The story-teller is notably weak in the use of the second person singular, and his punctuation may excite 1 occasional remark, but he has the knack of holding -our attention, and those who read' his present book will be quite read-^ to welcome any subsequent productions of his racy pen. • * A correspondent writes asking us if we know what becomes of old barmaids. We cannot say what becomes of a class that doesn't exist. There is no such thing as an old 1 barmaid. Everybody proposes to young barmaids. That is one of the reasons why the barmaid is not engaged in other occupations where the supply of proposals is less, and where the reasons for temporary aberration of male intellects are* not liauid and alcoholic. The average barmaid is annoyed if yon don't propose to her. She is behind the bar to receive proposals, and incidentally to hand out drinks. She doesn't, as a rule, take the proposals of the average shandy-consuming youth seriously unless the shandy consumer is heavily gilt. No barmaid sweetness is wasted on the desert pockety and no lady is a barmaid after tweny-five. Her age stops short right there. * * » Again the Council! Two or three weeks ago this brainy body felt ashamed of itself — not before it was time. It thought the disgraceful "footpaths" in Adelaide Road wanted some attention. On sections of that important highway, therefore, beautiful new flags were laid in, a permanent fashion. The people could go dry-shod for several hundred yards. At time of writing gangs of mem are tearing those newlylaad flags from their foundations, and are engaged digging into the bowels of the earth. Maybe the Council could explain that this is absolutely the correct way to do the work, but the ignorant pas&er-by and the pressman in search of a par do not seem to see eye to eye. The supposition expressed by the Lance recently that the permanent re-making and metalling of Constable-street was evidently preliminary to the opening up of it again, appears to have been a reasonable one. Tram rails are already laid in the gutters. If the Council were told that the money spent on the remaking of that road had been wasted they would feel quite hurt.

On© of Thorndon's most prominent citizens has a daughter whom he expects to blossom, into a second Arabella Goldard. Unfortunately, his neighbours have their oivvn estimate of the girl's powers. On the way to business in the tram the other day, the proud father threw out a feeler in the hope; of fetching a compliment on her behalf. "My daughter." he observed to the man in the next seat "plays the piano with her whole soul." "Well," replied li,s friend, with cruel emphasis, "from the awful row she makes, I thought she played with both her soles." Thf musical topic was dropped instant <>>\ * * • In Percy Dixs Exchange Hall days, Mr. Haselden S.M., might be seen night after night indulging his love for vaudeville bv sitting in the very front row of that house. The light and airy trifling with which vaudeville is redolent acted perhaps as an antidote to the ponderosity of magisterial work. A week or so asro Mr. Haselden visited Wellington. In the very front row of the Theatre Royal might have been seen our ex-S.M.. drinking in the beauties of the stage as of yore. The great do. not scorn vaudevjlle. Sir Josenh and Lady Ward took their pantomime laughingly on Boxing Night. * • • Shop-fronts in Wellington supply an interesting study. There is unintentional humour in many of them. What about the beautifully-finished sign : "Bykes, go-carts, perambulators, and other novelties." Whatever the ordineary pedestrian might wish, none of the three classes of goods are exactly novelties One shop-keeper informs the nobility and others of Wellington that he has a large assortment of "nicolplated" goods while still another assures thei public in letters two-feet long that "blancketse" is his. special line. The assertion that one man sells "maise" and another strives to "excell" are perfectly commonplace specimens of the prevailing sign-writer's art. * * • "Cyclops" believes that the man who would plant his blueher on the crowning rung of the ladder of success must have education). In his own words : "Owing to the advance of education each man's mental flaw more speedily proclaims itself, like a thwarted pimple arriving in the convincing halo of a hectic flush." * « * Ke was a tottering Waihi tramp, and he ambled listlessly into the group of youths who were playing the invigorating game of two-up, blinked his failing eyes, brushed away the tears of starvation, arid wistfully watched the circling coins. The boys were sorry for him. Poor old chax>, he was down on his luck sure enough. One boy doffed his hat, and started in to take a collection up, but the poor old tramp, with melodramatic violence, grabbed the "bank" with one hand, and tore his whiskers and back hair off with the otbeT. Throwing a big chest into his coat, he exclaimed, in a voice of thunder, "Bail up !" It was th < local policeman, doing hie duty. Those boys won't take up any more collections for alleo-ed tramps.

Remarkable rapidity in change of sentiment seems to be the chief characteristic of Chamberlain. Hear him in June, 1896 — -"There are no signs here of waning life or of decaying greatness. The continued growth of this country i 5 almost as remarkable as the grow th of those sister nations that we call our colonies." Now, Joe tells the world, per Press Association, every day, in effect that it is "too slow to catch worms," is being dumped in the fathomless abyssi of everlasting poverty, is becoming imperiall extinct, is petering out, is "going bung," and all the rest of it. And 1896 doesn't seem so very long ago. • • • All that glitters is not gold, neither is every purse that looks fat full of notes. Here's a story about a philanthropic lady and her purse. The lady in. question had a very fat purse in her jacket pocket. The extension of the purse was due, not to bank notes, but gospel tracts, which the lady intended delivering in the slums. A thin, welldressed man, wearing a gorgeous diamond ring, sat beside her om a tram. Just as the lady was rising to leave the tram she dropped her umbrella, which the well-dressed mam picked up, and handed to her with a courtly bow. Once in the street, she put her hand into her pocket for the purse, but it was gone. Some small hard substance was there, however, which she pulled out, to find it was a diamond. Her thoughts at once flew to the well-dressed man with the diamond ring. She took it to the nearest jeweller's shop to have it tested, as it looked real. The ieweller set the value down at about £45. He said it was a diamond of the first water. The well-dressed man must have been a swell thief, who could not resist the temptation of taking a fat purse so close at hand. Things are equalised in this world. He eot a bundle of tracts for his share of the plunder, and the lady got a diamond worth £45, which the owner will never come to claim. » * * No betting was allowed on the ground at the Austral wheel race. The camera distinctly says betting took place. A photograph to hand shows the wily "bookie" signaling (Morse code) with a handkerchief. His principal is up a tree outside the course. Verily the badgered bookie gets there just the same. * * * Another enfranchised Australian "lydy" disturbed another political meeting in New South Wales the other day. She called the electioneering candidate by a name he had been known by as a youngster, snorted violently at his assertions, and interjected "Huh! You'" every two minutes. The candidate meekly said he had believed that women would exert a refining influence in Federal politics, but it didn't appear so at this juncture. The lady arose, and told him that if he didn't shut up she'd stand against him herself. She "had spanked him when he was a kid and could lick him now'" "Fancy having y mother like that !" said the crowd. The cold truth is that the "lydy" had been a nurse to the candidate's family in his infancy. Familiarity breeds contempt. * * * A novel strike is proceeding on a Westralian eroldfield. All the miners of the field have become teetotalers pending the hauling down of the publican's notice, "All drinks, 9d." Until it is substituted by one bearing the inscription, "All drinks, 6d," they will be virtuous. Of course, the publican will be obliged to capitulate. The day they surrender will be a very wet one even though it doesn't rain. * • ♦ The Earl of Egmont, a portion of whose estate at Midhurst has been purchased for the King Edward VII. Sanatorium, is a New Zealander by birth, and a man with a romantic career. He has known some curious turns of fortune's wheel. Starting as a cadet on the Worcester training ship at Greenhithe. he became a sailor before the mast. Eventually he left the sea, and joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigade m London. Then he became caretaker ot the Chelsea Town Hall, and it was while holding that position that he inherited the title and property of the Earl of Egmont. * * • He was a politician, and they took him in. He who took him in was also a politician. The taker-in had a daughter, and the politician first hereinbefore mentioned was dragging himself away from the hospitalities of the subsequently - mentioned politician. The three were on the railway platform. The train would soon whirl the politician on his journey homeward. "Parting is such sweet sorrow^'" With a little gurgle the departing politician bounds like a slim gazelle towards 1 the daughter of the politician he is leaving. There is a whistle, a fond embrace, the collision of a large commanding nose with a little retrousse one. Smack ' "Good-bye, Bill. > Good-bye girlie!" And the spectators tittered.

Premier Dick's mana is great on the other side. In discussing the American high-handed business of stopping young Harper from taking a position in the United States most of the papers think that, as "Seddon is on the war path," there is no hope for the other fellow of a permanent victory. They seem, to think that New Zealand "contract labourers" are bound to get into America if Dick pushes them. Perhaps they are right, too. * * * An English paper works itself up into a state of wild-eyed surprise because members of Scotch families find such varied walks in life. It mentions that of one family the father of which is a labourer, the members comprise a coachman, game-keeper, clergyman, veterinary surgeon, and a teacher. It is rather the rule than the exception for colonial families to comprise members representing both lowly and lofty call-

ings. We know a tinsmith father who has sons one of whom is a barrister, another drives a cart for a dairy company, while yet another carries the "chain" for a surveyor. Another is "reading" for the Church, and another is wielding a pick for a corporation. The last is, according to the said father, merely an "ass." It is unusual, however, for colonial families so widely severed as to callings to re-unite at Christmas, as they would probably do if all of them milked cows, ran banks, or pumped beer. We are not quite as democratic as that, you know. * * ■» In re-printing a paragraph, a West Coast paper, describing a cycling "buck jump" race, says that "the race was ridden on paregoric and epileptic wheels, and caused much amusement." Turning up the authority, we find that the machines were fitted with "parabolic and elliptical wheels."

Among the many adveitising frauds who go on from day to day unsuppressed, both in New Zealand and elsewhere, aie the gentlemen who w ant you to learn to hypnotise. If hypnotism can be taught, the people who teach it should be imprisoned for life. The case of Gabnello Bompard is fresh in our memory. She was so it is alleged, made to commit a murder under the hypnotic suggestion of a man who was happily hanged. The girl was convicted, and awarded twenty years gaol. Wonder ir one of the "teachers of hvnotism" was responsible for the tuition of the "suggestor" ? A propos of the startling of hares and other things by marching troops, an ex-South African swaddy tells us that the veldt was often ahve with scared animals. He tells a tale about one, Jack Pope, of an early Contingent, throwing a tin of bully beef at a passing hare, and capturing a useful meal. Jack hadn't got a bayonet. Mr. Boer, with whom he happened to be as a guest w r as using it for a horse peg.

"War, grim ghastly war!" 'Twas at Dlrn.ed.ln. The troops were extended. "Fix — — bayonets!" rang out the stern command of the grocer in charge. "Cha — r-r-r-r — ge !" Sip! hip! hooray I The hares in the paddock start outlfrom their bushes. Ah, the enemy. One hundred and sixty gallant warriors and a few buglers charge two hares with the glittering steel. Some throw their bayonets, some their bugles, others dig the steel into the earth, and throw somersaults. One man, after V.Cs., gets in a low point on a comrade's leg, and there is a call for the ambulance. Ah but war is glorious ! * • • It was Christmas Eve, and they were quite evidently just freshly arrived from the backbloeks. He brought his better-half to a full stop outside a restaurant in Willis-street, and pointed eagerly to a card in the window. "Look here Betsy, here's a place where it sez ye can dine from six till ten — four hours o' steady eatin' for eighteenpence. Let's try it." They entered to make sure of their share of the banquet.

Boxing Day sea trips from Wellington do not wane in popularity. The Huddart Parker Company's fine steamer was well patronised on that day, and the trip to Picton was eminently enjoyable. Eleven, hundred excursionists journeyed across the Strait in her, and spent pleasant hours both on board and ashore. The Garrison Band added much to the pleasure of the passengers. The Union S.S. Company's Rotomahana, as usual, did the same trip. and also carried a full complement of passengers, whose journey was lightened by the excellent music dispensed, and the attention tha<- was shown for their comfort. These Picton trips are now an established institution. * * * The artistes who were responsible for the success of the concert at the Opera House on Christmas Night are to be congratulated. There was a crowded house. The fine singing of that talented soprano. Miss Amy Murphy provided an artistic treat. Herr Max Hoppe's violin playing was, as always, much admired. Miss May Donovan's contributions were all acceptable, and that talented elocutionist, Miss Alyoe Holroyd, delighted the large house with her recitations. Mr. J. F. Jones, Mr. F. Hendry. and Mr. E. J. Hill also sang acceptably. Mr. W. H. Prouse, at the organ, and Mr. Sidney Wolf, at the piano, accompanied ably. • * * Since last issue we have received pretty Christmas cards conveying the season's greetings from the Hon. C. H. Mills, the head office staff of the New Zealand Railways, the Municipal Office staff, the staff of Lamkshear's printing book-binding, and publishing works, the proprietors and staffs of the

' Feilding Star," Woodville "Examiner,^ "Otaki Mail," and "Wairarapa Leader, the editors and staffs of the "New Zealand Times" and "New Zealand Maal " the "Hawera and Normanby Star," and "Stratford Evening Post, E. Reynolds and Co., Mr. P. R. Dix, and Mr. John A. Taylor (Middows Bros ) We heartily reciprocate all their good wishes and kindly greetings. • * * The Union Clothing Company, on the busy corner of Manners and Cuba streets, have put up a record this Christmas time. Their sales out-distance any of their previous holiday sales, which is saying a very good deal.

STATEMENT OF MEIKLE'S CASE BY JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, AND GOVERNMENT CONCLUSIONS THEREON. AS STATED BY THE PRIME MINISTER.

JOHN JAMES MEIKLE was convicted at the Supreme Court sittings at Invercargill on the 17th. December, 1887, of sheep-stealing, and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with hard labour. During his imprisonment he petitioned several times for remission, stoutly asserting his innocence, and insisting: that he was the victim of a conspiracy. He was discharged on the Bth November, 1892, having served his full sentence, less the remission he had earned by good conduct and a special remission of about three months. In 1894 Meikle commenced a prosecution against William Lambert, the chief witness for the Crown at his trial, for perjury. The first proceedings were abortive, as the grand jury threw out the bill. Subsequently Meikle laid a fresh information ; Lambert was committed for trial, and was tried at the Supreme Court at Invercargill in June, 1895, found guilty, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment. Meikle then petitioned Parliament (July 1895), and the report of the Public Petitions Committee was as follows : No. 97.— Petition of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Southland. Petitioner states that in the year 1887 he was charged with the larceny of twenty-seven sheep belonging to the New Zealand Mortgage and Investment Association (Limited) and convicted on the evidence of one William Lambert: that he, on his release, after serving his term or imprisonment, instituted proceedings against the said William Lambert, for perjury, who, after trial, was convicted, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment for perjury in his evidence against petitioner when on his trial for sheep-stealing ; that petitioner and his family have been caused pecuniary loss and mental suffering through the said imprisonment. He "rays that his name may be removed from the orison records of the colony, and that he be "ranted £10,000 as compensation for false imprisonment and financial loss sustained by him. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that, after eliminating Lambert's evidence, who has since been convicted, and is now serving a sentence of perjury, there was not sufficient evidence adduced at petitioner's trial to warrant his conviction on the charge nreferred against him. The Committee are also of opinion that the request of petitioner to have his name removed from the prson records of the colony merits the serious consideration of the Crown. The Committee recommends the Government to make provision, on the Supplementary Estimates for the payment to petitioner of a sum of money by way of compensation for the loss he has sustained in connection with his business the legal costs incurred in defending the charge preferred against him, and in securing the conviction of Lambert for perjury, and also by way of compensa^ tion for the imprisonment he has suffered. 9th October, 1895. The Government thereupon agreed to defray the cost of the prosecution of Lambert as if it had been a Crown prosecution, and a sum of £294 16s Id was paid by the Government on this account in November, 1895. The salient facts in Meikle's prosecution are set out in Judare Ward's report dated the 28th April, 1888 • — REPORT OF JUDGE WARD IN REGINA v. MEIKLE. Large numbers of sheep having been stolen from Islay Station, the British and New Zealand Mortgage and Investment Company employed a private detective named Lambert to discover the thief , promising him a reward of £50 if he succeeded. Lambert visited repeatedly at the house of a farmer named Meikle, and apparently led him to believe that he intended "to sell the company and work with him." On the night of the 17th October Lambert went first to prisoner's house, and afterwards, about 9 p.m., to that of a farmer named John Gregg. The latter accompanied Lambert half way to his hut, and just after parting with him heard him speaking to a person whom, from his voice, he believed to be Arthur Meikle, son of the prisoner. Lambert states that, he then met Arthur Meikle driving a number of sheep from the direction of the company's land: that after passing he turned and followed him, saw him drive sheep ir.to prisoner's yard, and saw prisoner kill and dress two of them. He (Lambert) could see by the light of the lantern used the brands and ear-marks on the sheep. On the 2nd November Meikle>s farm was searched by the police. Arthur Meikle, who was present, acknowledged that certain sheep of the company's were there, but said they had been there nine months. The number and condition corresponded with those which Lambert had seen Arthur Meikle driving, twenty being fat. It appeared that Arthur had a silent sheep-dog, which drives sheep without

barking. On further search, two sheepskins bearing the company's brand were found among others belonging to prisoner. Of course, the mere fact of these sheep being on Meikle's land would only be a ground for suspicion in ordinary cases, but it was proved that all the fat sheep of the company were on turnips, and that in order to stray to the paddock where they were found by the police they must have left turnips for ploughed land or tussock, and have gone through two fences' in> order to reach very poor pasture where they could not possibly have fattened. It would be difficult to frame a clearer case for the Crown from the foregoing. For the defence, the first witness was one Templeton, who swore to a conversation with Lambert, giving full particulars of time and place; but, finding that certain witnesses were prepared to prove an alibi for Lambert, desired Mr. McGregor, counsel for prisoner, to retract his evidence next morning by stating that he had been entirely mistaken, in both the above particulars ; by which retraction he saved himself from being committed for perjury, and enabled the jury duly to appreciate his testimony. The next witness, Harvey, a servant of the prisoner's, swore that Lambert did not leave Meikle's house on the 17th October till 10 p.m. (in which he was contradicted by Lambert and Gregg), and that he (Lambert) was at Meikle's every other night, and sometimes two nights running (m which he was contradicted by Arthur Meikle and Mrs Shiels, both witnesses for the defence), and ultimately stated that he could not tell at all whether Lambert was there between the 17th October and the Ist November. He swore to certain, conversations with Lambert, but his testimony was most unreliable throughout. Mrs. Shiels, another servant of the prisoner's, swore that Lambert told her that he was to get £50 for putting sheepskins of the company on Medkle's land, but her account of the conversation as given before the jury varied most materially from that given in the Resident Magistrate's Court. Arthur Meikle, of course, contradicted Lambert's account, stating that he had gone to bed ill on the 17th October, at 4 o'clock p.m., had had no tea, and had mot got up again till next morning. The servant Harvey had just before stated that he (Arthur) had tea in the kitchen with the rest at 5 o'clock that afternoon. A good deal of contradictory evidence was given about the state of the fences between the company's land and Meikle's, but there were no questions as to the respective merits of the sheep feed on the two places. I have only further to say that, in my opinion, the verdict was fully justihed by the evidence for the Crown, and that I have seldom heard harder swearing than that of the witnesses for the prisoner. The crime of sheep-stealing has long been rife in the Wyndham district, and it is fortunate that an example has '- • Referring to the case Regina v. Scott, in which Meikle was the chief witness for the Crown, I may state that, in my opinion, Macdonald, Meikle, and Scott > • Carswell White of the horse, for the theft of which Scott was convicted. The Crown Prosecutor at Invercargill informed me that after Scott's conviction he was most anxious to be allowed to give evidence against Meikle, stating that he (Scott) was at the farm of the accused on the night the sheep were stolen. This course was not deemed advisable, as there was already ample evidence in the case for the Crown. 28th April, 1888. C. D. R. WAR©. At Lambert's trial the theory of the prosecution was that Lambert, in order to secure the reward offered by the company, had "planted" the skins on Meikle's premises. At Meikle's trial Lambert swore that the sheep were stolen on the night of the 17th October, 1887. At Lambert's trial evidence was brought to show that it was impossible for the occurrence described by Lambert to have taken place on the 17th. Evidence was also brought to show tiiat Lambert had obtained two skins bearing the company's brand from a man named McGeorge. There was further evidence as to certain admissions made by Lambert. In 1895, Judge Ward was asked by the Public Petitions Committee to report as to how far the conviction of Lambert would raise any presumption as to Meikle's innocence. His reply was as follows : — Greymouth, 29th August, 1895. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt (on 27th August of your despatch, requesting me to furnish a report as to how far the conviction of Lambert for perjury would raise any presumption as to Meikle's 1 innocence in the case of Reg. v. Meikle, tried in 1887. In other words, the question is whether, after striking out Lambert's testimony, there remains sufficient evidence to justify Meikle's conviction. The remaining evidence for the Crown amounted to this: that Meikle's land adjoined that of the company. the fences between the two being in good

order and sheep-proof, except where the dividing fence ran into the river, but where sheep did not appear to have passed; that a large number of the company's sheep unaccountably disappeared; that, on a search warrant being executed, some of the missing fat sheep were found on Meikle's poor land, and two sheepskins bearing the company's brand were found among fifteen or sixteen others on Meikle's premises. Had there be~en no evidence beyond this, I should certainly not have directed the jury to acquit ; but the case for the Crown would have been greatly weakened, and probably the able counsel engaged by Meikle would then have secured his acquittal, had it not been for the exposure of the gross perjury committed on Meikle's behalf by the witness Templeton, which might have turned the scale the other way^— I have, gtQ O. D. R. WARD. R 5 . Meredith, Esq., M.H.R., Chairman of Public Petitions Committee. Meikle petitioned again in 1896. and the Committee reported as follows : — No. 10.— Pettion of JOHN JAMES

MEIKLE. Petitioner prays that full effect may bo given to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee's recommendation of last session in bis oase. . I am directed to report that this Committee regrets that its recommendations of last session have not been carried out ; and that this Committee is still of opinion that an allowance should be granted to him by way of compensation for imprisonment suffered and subsequent loss sustained. 14th July. 1896. Meikle petitioned again in 1897, and the Committee reported as follows : — No. 4, Sess. I. and No. 72, Sess. IL— Petitions of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Wyndham. Petitioner prays that the recommendations of the Public Petitions M to Z Commitee's reports of the 9th October, 1896, and the 14th July. 1896, may be given effect to. . I am directed to report that this Committee, after carefully inquiring into the case of John James Meikle, considers the Government has treated the petitioner fairly by granting him the sum ot £294 10s Id for expenses incurred in. the prosecution of Lambert for perjury, and a further sum of £500 now placed on the Estimates in full discharge of petitioner's claims; therefore the Committee has no further recommendation to make. 16th November, 1897. No. 4, Sess. I, and No. 72, Sess. ll.— Petition of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Wyndham. A previous report on the above petitions having been referred back to the Committee by the House for further consideration, I am directed to report that, atter careful investigation into all the facts of the case, the Committee can see no reason to alter the previous decision arrived at and reported to the House on the 16th November, 1897. 2nd December, 1897. A sum of £500 was voted as compensation and was paid over— £2so to Meikle, and £250 to George Esther, of Dunedin, by direction of Meikle. The money was paid on the loth December, 1897, and Meikle gave a receipt for the whole amount in full satisfaction of all claims and demands, or alleged claims and demands against the Government in respect of his prosecution and conviction, and in respect of expenses, costs, etc., in connection with the prosecution ot Lambert. , He petitioned again in 1898, and the Committee reported as follows — Nos. 23 and 226.— Petitions of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE. of Wyndham. Petitioner prays that the report of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee of October, 1895, may be given effect to, etc. , . I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has signed a receipt for £500 in full satisfaction, release, and discharge of all claims and demands, or alleged claims and demands, which he now has or at any time heretofore has had against Her Majesty the Queen or the Government of New Zealand upon or in respect of the prosecution and conviction of himself for sheep-stealing or the prosecution and conviction at his instance of William Lambert for perjury, and for any expenses, costs, or charges incurred in or about the said prosecutions, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd November, 1898. He petitioned again in 1899 and 1901, and copies of the reports of the Committee are annexed. No 82.— Petition of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Southland. Petitioner prays that effect may be given to the reports of the Public Petitions Committee, M to Z, dated the 9th October, 1895 and the 14th July, 1896. I am directed to report that, the petitioner, having expressed his rehnquishment of all claims by the receopt given to the Government dated the 15th December, 1897, the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist August, 1899. No 622.— Petition of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Wyndham. Petitioner prays that effect mag he given to certain reports of the Public

Petitions M to Z Committee on his case, and that his name be removed from the prison records of the colony. lam directed to report that, as the recommendations of previous Committees have been given effect to, and the petitioner has received the sum of £500 in full discharge and satisfaction of all claims, the Committee is of opinion the petitioner has no further claim on the colony. 3rd October, 1901. During the present session petitions were presented by Meikle and by P. Chapman and 43(36 others. The reports of the Committee are annexed. Petition of JOHN JAMES MEIKLE, of Southland. Petitioner prays that he may be compensated for the loss he has sustained in connection with his business, the legal costs incurred in defending charges preferred against him, and for imprisonment suffered and also for an enquiry into the matter of the alleged forgery of a certain document, etc. lam directed to report that this Committee, having gone carefully into the petitioner's case, is of opinion that the document referred to in the petition is not genuine, but from the evidence submitted has no reason to believe that the petitioner is in any way responsible for the same. Regarding the petitioner's claim for further compensation, your Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1903. Petition of PERCY CHAPMAN and 4366 Others. Petitioners pray that effect may be given to the recommendations of the Public Petitions Mto Z Committee, dated the 9th October, 1895, and the 14th July, 1896, on the case of John James Meikle, of Southland, and that Meikle's name be removed from the prison records of the colony. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the petition of Percy Chapman and others, asking that the name of John James Meikle be removed from the prison records of the colony, is unable to see how it can be given effect to, and has therefore no recommendation to make. Ist September, 1903.

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 21st NOVEMBER, 1903. Honourable members will recollect that when the report on the petition of John James Meikle was brought up the Premier promised that the Government would go fully into the case, and would make an announcement to the House as to what the Government proposed to do in the matter. This announcement has not been made at an earlier date because the Government was desirous of giving the fullest consideration to all the circumstances, feeling that a matter of such importance should not be dealt with hastily. I may say that Mr. Meikle's case has caused the Government much anxiety. We have desired to hold the balance evenly — on the one hand not to do a wrong to the petitioner, on the other not to ask Parliament to create a precedent that is fraught with the gravest possibilities. I need not detain the House by recapitulating the facts of Meikle's case, but I must refer to the report of the Committee of 1895 on the first petition presented to Parliament. That Committee reported that it was of opinion that, after eliminating Lambert's evidence, there was not sufficient evidence to warrant Meikle's conviction ; that his request to have Ins name removed from the prison records merited serious consideration ; and that the Government should pay him. a sum of money by way of compensation for his losses, for the legal costs incurred, and for the imprisonment he had suffered. I wish the House to note that no subsequent Committee has gone further than this report. Well, the Government has complied with one out of the two recommendations of that Committee — that is to say, it has paid £294 16s towards the legal oosts incurred and a sum of £500 by way of compensation. The only question that now remains to be settled is the erasure of Meikle's name from the penal records. I do not propose to enber upon the question of Meikle's guilt or innocence; I merely point out that the conviction of Lambert has not finally and conclusively proved Meikle's innocence. The most that can, be said is that if Lambert's evidence had not been given, the chances are that the jury would have acouitted Meikle. Hisi case, therefore, stands on a different footing from those cases in which it has been conclusively proved, either by the confession of the real offender or by a series of circumstances absolutely negativing the possibility of guilt that the wrong man has been convicted. To remove Meikle's name from the penal records would require an Act of Parliament. It would necessitate the cancellation of the record of his. conviction in the Supreme Court, the erasure of his name from the prison registers', and would generally involve an extensive mutilation of the public records of the colony : and for what purpose? If every public document bearing the name of Mr. Meikle were cancelled or destroyed to-morrow it would not alter the facts. The newspapers containing the accounts of his

trial cannot be destroyed, nor can the "Hansard" in which appear the debates on his case. If the public records axe mutilated, Mr. Meikle will not be in, one v, hit a better position than he is) to-day, except in this important respect; that if Parliament solemnly declares by statute that he is an innocent man, beyond laying the foundation for a further claim for compensation no other good purpose would be served ; and this would probably stimulate others to appeal for a statutory declaration of innocence. I am of the opinion that it would be highly improper to mutilate the public records of the colony by cancelling the record of Mr. Meikle's 1 conviction in the Supreme Court, and the erasure of his name from the prison, registers and records of the colony ; and not only these records, but the records of Parliament, petitions and reports and "Hansard" all set forth the fact of the imprisonment Mr. Meikle has suffered. Again, there are the reports which have appeared in the press. In fact, the suggestion as to the removal and erasure from public records is impracticable, and if every public document or record were destroyed the facts would remain unaltered. In justice to Mr. Meikle and his- family, however, I am opinion that, as Lambert, the principal witness against him at his trial, was subsequently convicted of perjury, printed slips, stating this and other facts favourable to Mr. Meikle's innocence, might be inserted in the pages of the records, and attention would be thus, drawn to the matter. This would meet what I understand Mr. Meikle and his family desire — namely, that had! it not been for the evidence of Lambert Mr. Meikle might have been acquitted of the charge upon which he was convicted. It is well that the House and Mr. Meikle should clearly understand that what I have hereinbefore suggested is done with a view to placing the facts clearly and impartially before honourable members, and any attempt to obtain further compensation would be strenuously resisted, seeing that, with the full facts before it, after enquiry and on the recommendation, of a Committee of this honourable House, the Government offered, and Mr. Meikle accepted, the sum of £500 by way of compensation, together with the sum of £294 leeral costs incurred.

COPY OF RECEIPT FOR £500 GIVEN BY MR. MEIKLE. "I John James Meikle, do hereby acknowledge to have received from the Colonial Treasurer on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the Government of the Colony of New Zealand, the sum of five hundred pounds (£500), of which the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds (£250) is now paid to me, and the further sum of two hundred and fifty pounds (£2so^ is about to be paid, at my request, to George Esther, of Dunedin, in full satisfaction, release, and discharge of all claims and demands, or alleged claims and demands, which I now have or at any time heretofore have had against Her Majesty the Queen or the Government of New Zealand upon or in respect of the prosecution and conviction of myself for sheep-stealing, or the prosecution and conviction at my instance of one William Lambert for perjury, and in respect of any expenses, costs, or charges incurred in or about the said prosecutions, or either of them, and any losses sustained or alleged to be sustained by me thereby- ' "JOHN JAMES MEIKLE. "15th December, 1897. "Witness to Signature — J. W. Kelly, M.H.R."