THE BUTTER COMMISSION

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 19

THE BUTTER COMMISSION

MR TAVERNER' S EVIDENCE.

MELBOURNE, December 6. At the Butter Commission the examination of Mr Taverner was concluded. He categorically denied Mr Sinclair's charges, and said he considered he had produced sufficient documentary evidence in support of his denials. In a number of cases the Commission would find on Mr Sinclair's own letters that the latter had borne false witness against him. Mr Taverner denied that he ever had the slightest personal interest in any meat or products shipped through the Agricultural Department while he was a Minister. Mr Taverner said he was appointed Victorian representative to the Colonial "Consignment Company by Sir Montague Nelson while a member of the Turner Government. He took the appointment on. the understandung that he would retire from the Ministry. While still a Minister he asked the Harbour Trust Commissioners whether they would put a site for cool storage under offer to him for three months. This was to enable Sir Joseph Ward, as representative of the company, to write to London about suggestions aa to cool stores. ' December 8. Before the Butter Commission Mr Taverner was examined in reference to the letter books which were damaged in the Agentgeneral's office. He declared that it was his honest opinion that Mr Sinclair ha- • deliberately damaged them.