AN INDIGNANT LADY

Southland Times, Issue 17304, 28 March 1913, Page 6

AN INDIGNANT LADY

KATES COMMISSIONER KETTLE. KEEPING HER EYE OPEN. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. March 27. An exciting interlude occurred at the St. Helens Home inquiry this morning. During her closing address Mrs Emilj Nicoi (who was principally instrumental in securing the inquiry) made an allegation affecting the actions of the official recorder of evidence taken at the inquiry (Mr [•'. .1. .'-hewart). .Mrs Nicoi staled that at the conclusion of the evidence given hy tin' Medical Officer of the Institution (Dr. Tracey Digits), the latter neglected to sign some of the sheets on which this evidence had heen typed, and further that> but for her intervention at the time ttie sheets in question would not have been signed, thus allowing of possibility of alteration before the final signature. The Commissioner (Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M.) indignantly refuted the Impeachment of Mr Stewart (who was temporarily absent), and stated with considerable warmth that there . was no truth in Mrs Nicol’s inference. Mrs NicoKresented the questioning of her veracity, and with a suggestion of Irony remarket' that his Worship's loyalty to his staff was sublime. Amid much confusion dhe Commissioner called upon Mr Stewart (who had just returned to the Court) to 1 enter the witness box and to be sworn. The Commissiioner: Mrs Nicoi has stated that when Dr. Inglls was giving evidence in regard to Mrs Chamberlain s case you deliberately allowed some of the pages to go unsigned, with an improper motive. What have you to say to that? Mr Stewart (indignantly): It Is monstrously untrue. . Mrs Nicoi: You•have misrepresented me, your Worship. The Commissioner '(handing the official copy of the evidence to Mr Stewart): Is that the evidence giwen by Dr. Inglls? Mr Stewart: Yes sir. and I may say that Mrs Nicoi has a copy of It as it was originally typed. Mrs Nicoi excitedly denied possession of a copy, and dramatically went through some papers. “I immediately w'ent up to you.” proceeded Mrs Nicoi. "and said I wanted to look at Dr. Inglls s signature to those papers, and I found that four or five sheets had not been signed.” Mr Stewart: I said to you Mrs Nicoi (Interrupting): Then yon admit I did go up to you? Mr Stewart: Tour question caused me to look at the sheets. I then saw that Dr. Inglls had omitted to sign two or three papers. Mrs Nicoi (disgustedly): Omitted . Oh! your Worship! The Commissioner (to Mr Stewart): Was there any suggestion by Dr. Inglls of alterations and retyping to suit his wish? Mr Stewart: None whatever. Mrs Nicoi (positively); I saw the alterations. Mr Stewart explained that there were only customary marginal corrections. The Commissioner: That will do, Mr Stewart, thank you. Mrs Nicoi: Mr Stewart's statement corresponds exactly with what I said when you said I had told a lie, your Worship. The Commissioner: I did not say anything of the kind. What I did say was that there was no truth in the suggestions you made. , Mrs Nicoi (throwing her papers disgustedly on the table): I feel very much hurt that you have placed me In the position of being a liar. The Commissioner; It Is a pity that such statements are made In this Court. They only create unnecessary ill-feeling. Mrs Nicoi (forcefully): You . are standing loyal to your officer, who has no right to your loyal talk. About the barbwire fences that I have bad to climb over in course of this inquiry, this is only one of many such obstacles. If these things are not pointed out they will still go on. ~ The storm having spent itself. Mrs Nicoi resumed her address to the Commissioner. '