SOLICITOR AS WITNESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18278, 20 December 1922, Page 11

SOLICITOR AS WITNESS.

1 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

REMARKS BY MAGISTRATE.

BULK OF REPORT FALLEN FLAT.

fBY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

At tho postal inquiry to-day evidence in the Springbok case was concluded and the Kennedy caee was opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Allegations were made against Kennedy by two women, and on one charge he was dismissed from the service.

Kennedy to-day said he had no opportunity of refuting the charges. Tho department advised him it had overwhelming evidence against him and that he would be well advised to resign. On the second charge he was given no consideration before the inquiry. Ihe woman's name was not given until he was formally charged. He endeavoured to show that the department had gone out of its way to convict him, and declared he had been prejudiced bv the officials. Evidence was given by Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, solicitor, that the men in the department had complained that the statements taken in confidence had been used against them. In Kennedy's case, the department called only witnesses who were against Kennedy, despite the fact that they had found witnesses who would have disputed that testimony. The witness remarked that he did not cay that the department was unfair. The Commissioner: Well, isn't that what I am here to investigate? Witness : I did not say that. The witness said also that ho did not make any charge that evidence had been suppressed. He contended that when the department held an inquiry, it should bring out all the evidence available, all evidence for and against the defendant. If this was not done, the department should say that it was going to prosecute. He* believed that the secretary of the department. Mr. R. B. Morris, had been actuated by the most kindly motives, but that the "chief inspector, Mr. J. Laurenson, was responsible for a lot of discontent in the service. The Commissioner: -Don't you think you have been a little indiscreet, to have "made this report? The bulk of this has fallen flat to the eround.

The Witness : For everything I have said I have had statements from the men. The sitting then adjourned.