NEWTOWN PARK SCANDAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4427, 6 August 1901, Page 6

NEWTOWN PARK SCANDAL.

MILITARY COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. SECRET PROCEEDINGS. > The committee of inquiry appointed to investigate what is popularly known as the Newtown Park Scandal opened its proceedings yesterday. All the members, Lieutenant Colonel Pitt, (president), LieutenanifColonel -Davies, G. 8., and Major Hawkins, were present. Before the proceedings formally opened, a conversation took place between Colonel Pitt and Mr T. M. Wilford, M.H.R. Colonel Pitt explained to the member for the Suburbs that under the volunteer regulations solicitors could not appear in their professional capacity before the committee. The President also informed a representative of the “New Zealand Times” that, under the same regulations, the inquiry had to be held with closed doors, and that on that account reporters could not bo admitted. Mr Wilford mentioned that he had been asked to appear by thirty volunteers, mostly officers, belonging to towns which he specified, who wished to give evidence as to the unsatisfactory condition of things at the camp during the Royal visit. He furnished the president with the names of two officers, and said h e would telegraph to his other clients, explaining to them that, under the rcgu. lations, he could not appear on their behalf, and asking them if their names could be handed to the committee. It was pointed out by Mr Wilford that th n Defence Act was silent as to the appearance of solicitors at inquiries, but Colonel Pitt called attention to a provision to the effect that the regulations were to be deemed part of the Act. In the course of the conversation, which was of an informal character, Mr Wilford remarked that if he had appeared, it would have been gratuitously. Colonel Pitt, in reply to the “Times” representative, said there were witnesses in readiness to be examined yesterday, and that the inquiry would not be finished for some days.