THE RAWSON COMMISSION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 889, 15 March 1889, Page 20

THE RAWSON COMMISSION.

(per press association.) New Plymouth, March 7The Commission on the Rawson inquiry resumed this morning, when Mr E. G. Jellicoe, of Wellington, was present to aofc for those who wished to make charges. Commissioner Reid has received charges from William Humphries, Alexander Boswell and Michael Byrne. Mr Boswell’s charges were to the effect that Mr Rawson corruptly and vindictively committed him for trial to the Supreme Court whenhe musthaveknowntbat the charge was false ; and that Mr Rawson tampered with and hindered his (Boswell s) solicitor, and would not allow him to call evidence to refute the evidence given. William Humphries has charged Mr Rawson with having conspired with Messrs Samuel and Corkill to procure Herman Wallathi to tako a falsa oath, amounting to psrjury, for tho purpose of injuring him (Humphries); also, that Mr Rawson attempted to induce Wallath to swear an affidavit he knew was false Humphries also charges Mr Rawson with’being unduly influenced in the administrationof justice by Mr Samuel, and to the prejudice of him (Humphries). Michael Byrne has charged Mr Rawson with impropriety as Registrar of tho Supreme Court in drawing up and completing orders. Mr Jellicoe asked for the time to be extended of filin" charges, as the people could not come and interview him before Saturday, and a number of witnesses have to be enbncenaed in Hawera, Manaia, and other places. He asked the Commission to addoiiin to the middle of next week. The Commission thought that the charges sent in should be first disposed of. Mr Rawson thought it would be prejudicial if lie had to reply to any charge before all were in. Mr Jellicoe agreed that Mr Rawson s contention was fair, as no accused person could bo asked to answer charges piecemeal. Commissioner Reid said if Mr Jellicoe commenced, and showed a strong prima xacie case, the Commission would perhaps consider the calling of witnesses and paying their expenses. Mr Jellicoe took Mr Humphries’ charge first, and examined Mr Wallath, after which the Commission adjourned to 2 o clock. New Plymouth, March 9. Mr E Hesketh, solicitor, having to attend the Supreme Court next week has been obliged to return to Auckland, so Sir Robt. gfcoft, who has arrived from the University

Senate, has accepted his retainer as counsel or Judge Rawson. New Plymouth, March 11.

No further charges have been sent to the Commissioners in the Rawson case. The time for sending in the charges expired at 4 o’clock on Saturday. Hew Plymouth, March 13.

The Rawson Commission resumed this morning, Sir Robert Stout appearing for Mr Rawson and Mr Jellicoe for tho complainants. After a few preliminaries, Commissioner Reid said a communication had been received from the Minister of Justice on the subject of witnesses’ expenses. The advice he had got was to grant expenses for witnesses at the Commissioners’ discretion. They had accordingly decided that witnesses within the Borough of New Plymouth, and within three miles of it, be granted maintenance 011I3', while those residing at some distance away would also be paid travelling expenses. The Commission reserved the right of calling any witnesses. The evidence was then proceeded with. Herman Willatb, examined by Mr Jellicoe, said he had given to Mr McLaughlan all the papers connected with the Convent building dispute, who took them to Mr Hutchison, solicitor, Wanganui. Mr McLaughlan did his writing for him. Mr Wallath’a evidence was a statement of what had passed between him and tho Deputy-Official Assignee in Bankruptcy at the time he filed his schedule. Sir R. Stout objected to this as beiDg irrelevant to the charge against Mr Rawson. The wituess was only being made use of to sling mud at respectable gentlemen. The Commissioners agreed with Sir R. Stout, and stopped the evidence. Mr Wallath was then cross-examined by Sir R. Stout, and admitted that when he came from Wanganui with the £3OO he got from Mr Hutchison he lost £IOO of it. He said he met McLaughlan and had some drink. He afterward went to William Humphries’ shop, who agreed to act as agent to compound with witness’ creditors. Witness after went to his workshop, wh.- n he found that a bundle of notes was short. _ At the Rawson Commission Wallath said he did not go to the police over the loss of the notes, but told McLaughlan, _ who shrugged his shoulders, and said “accidents cannot be helped.” He did not know if he said to anyone ho had been robbed. Witness admitted that the affidavits referred to in the charge were written in his presence, and from answni‘3 given by him to questions asked by Mr Samuel in the presence of Rawson and Corkill. He signed all the affidavits lodgod in Court. If witness’ evidence did not agree with his affidavits now in Court, he , would leave it to tbe Judges. He told Mr Samuel at the time ho Knew English very well. The chief men who advised him how to act before he filed his bankruptcy were Bellringer, William Humphries, McLaughlan, and William Bayly.