H.—6.

Mr. Ell stated that he had been promised by the Under-Secretary of Justice that any witnesses who were required should be brought at Government expense. Adjourned until to-morrow.

Wednesday, sth September, 1888. Telegram from Commissioner to Under-Secretary of Justice and reply read, the reply denying any such promise as alleged. Mr. Ell continued his evidence. Mr. Ell applied for adjournment until he could bring witnesses. Required Mr. Jellicoe and Mr. Stafford, solicitors, of Wellington, and Mr. Denniston, solicitor, of Dunedin. The Commissioner refused to recommend the Colonial Secretary to authorise the bringing of either of those gentlemen as witnesses, they being really intended to be brought as advocates. Mr. Ell then applied for adjournment to produce accounts from Wellington. The Commissioner declined to give any answer at present. Mr. Ell to inquire when these accounts can be here. Adjourned to to-morrow. *

Thursday, 6th September, 1888. Mr. Ell applied for adjournment to -the 14th instant, and that the Commissioner, after seeing the accounts, should decide as to applying for authority to summon Mr. Brook. Application refused. Mr. Ell then refused to proceed with his case. Adjourned sine die.

Monday, 19th November, 1888. Instrument extending Commission read. Declaration received from Mr. Ell refusing to proceed with inquiry. Mr. A. E. Bloxam sworn, and gave evidence. Adjourned to to-morrow. '

Tuesday, 20th November, 1888. Mr. Bloxam continued his evidence. Mr. W. H. Hargreaves sworn, and gave evidence. Mr. L. Harper sworn, and gave evidence. Adjourned to to-morrow.

Wednesday, 21st November, 1888. Mr. E. C. Latter sworn, and gave evidence. Mr. A. M. Eyes sworn, and gave evidence. Mr. E. C. Latter (recalled) gave evidence. Adjourned to to-morrow.

Thursday, 22nd November, 1888. Inquiry declared closed. No order made as to costs.

MINUTES OE EVIDENCE.

Monday, 3rd September, 1888. George Waldock Eel examined on oath. I am a settler residing in Christchurch. My charges against the Registrar are contained in a letter to the Minister of Justice dated the 22nd March, 1888. Accounts were ordered by the Supreme Court at Christchurch to be taken in the cases of Ell v. Harper and another (No. 30), and Ell v. Harper (No. 353). [Order of Court, 29th October, 1884, read and put in—Exhibit A. Mr. Bloxam admits that this order applied to both actions.] Previous to this Mr. Hargreaves and the Eegistrar had been appointed to take accounts in these actions by order of Court made 27th June, 1884 [Exhibit B]. On the 11th July, 1884, the first meeting took place, and from time to time until the Ist December, 1884, when the Registrar declared the case to be closed. [Minutes of Ist December, 1884, read and put in—Exhibit O] From Ist December up to February, 1885, I was repeatedly promised a certificate by Mr. Bloxam; but he did not furnish one. On the 23rd December Mr. Austin, my solicitor, paid £11 ss. Court fees for taking the accounts. I did not get the certificates until the 13th March. I went to the Registrar's chambers on the 11th March. Took with me £90 in cash. I asked Mr. Bloxam for the certificates. He answered that he could not give them to me because there was £88 4s. to pay for accountant's fees. I asked Mr. Bloxam whether it was fair that I should be asked to pay the whole sum, and whether it would not be fairer to divide it between the parties, or to make it costs in the cause. He said, "No ; I have had bother enough with you, and I shall not hand you the certificates until that sum is paid." I then paid him the money and took a receipt. Just after I had paid it Mr. Austin came in. As soon as he came in Mr. Bloxam said to him, " Mr. Ell has called for the certificates, but as you are here I shall not give them to him, because you are the solicitor on the record." I then said to Mr. Bloxam, " You know very well that I have withdrawn Mr. Austin's retainer so long ago as the 4th February last, and that I gave you notice of that at the same time." Mr. Bloxam then spoke to Mr. Austin, and he to Mr. Bloxam : I did not hear what they said. Then Mr. Bloxam turned to me and said, " I cannot take airy notice of your notice as to having changed your solicitor, and shall hand him the certificate because he is on the record." I then asked Mr. Bloxam to give me the figures as to how the accounts stood. He refused to give me the account but he gave me a slip of paper with the totals on it in Ell v. Harper and another, £2,120 16s. lOd. to my credit; and

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