"BARB-WIRE FENCES."

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15262, 28 March 1913, Page 9

"BARB-WIRE FENCES."

INTERLUDE AT ST. HELENS INQUIRY. MRS. NICOL AND THE EVIDENCE. At the St. Helens Home inquiry yesterday, certain statements were made by Mrs. Emily Nicol which were regarded as a reflection upon the Court official (Mr. F. J. Stewart), who was typing the evidence given. Mr. Stewart was therefore placed in the witness-box.

The Commissioner: It is stated that you received back from Dr. Inglis his evidence, with certain pages corrected and unsigned, and that you re-typed them. Is that right?

Mrs. icol: I didn't say that. Your Worship You are misrepresenting the facts!

Mr. Stewart, in answer to the Commissioner: It is monstrously untrue. The Commissioner (displaying the official copy of the evidence): Is that the evidence originally given? Mr. Stewart: That is it. Mrs. Nicol; When Dr. Inglis passed those papers over to you, Mr. Stewart, I went to you and asked to be allowed to look at nis signature on those papers. What did you say? Mr. Stewart I refused, saying that you would have to ask for the commissioner's permission. Mrs. Nicol: Then what happened? Mr. Stewart: Your request made me look at the papers, and I saw that Dr. Inglis had omitted to sign two or three pages. I showed them to him, and he signed them. Mrs. Nicol: Omitted? Oh, Your Worship The Commissioner: Is there any truth in the suggestion ; that there was any retyping of the paces to suit Dr. Inglis? Mr. Stewart: None whatever. . Mrs. Nicol: Considering that Dr. Inglis had signed so many papers, Your Worship, it is not likely that he would turn over three pages one after an other without signing them. ... If I had not seen those papers what would have happened? Such things should not- occur. Mr. Kettle: Nothing of the kind has occurred.

Mrs. Niool: There you are, Your Worship, standing loyally to your officers. The Commissioner: Now you are making another charge. Mrs. Nicol: Oh! Talk about the barbwire fences I have had to get over everywhere. I have been limited in all directions. ..... I xnever seem to be able to reach the goal of justice.