I.—2a

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129. And I advised you on it ? —Yes. 130. The Chairman.] That was the one of the 24th December?—Yes. 131. Mr. Gully.] Then, you do know all about it ?—What I could remember. 132. You had the thing read over and explained to you, and you had no further information or explanation about it ? —No ; except when I came to you to tear the will up. 133. How much later was that ?—You advised me to put £400 in Miss Warburton's name. 134. You admit that at this interview a letter was read over and explained to you in my office ? —I do not know that it was explained; you said that £100 belonged to me and £400 to Miss Warburton. 135. As to your relations with Mrs. Eose, do you wish the Committee to understand that there was any breach between you and Mrs. Eose about the time of Mr. Livingston's death?—We were on good terms. 136. You said that Mrs. Eose interested herself in your affairs after Livingston's death? —Se she did. The following letter was handed in by Miss Prince : —. "Blenheim, 2nd March, 1888.—My dear little girl,—Why have you not written to me for so long; and when are you getting your portrait taken ? Let me hear from you as soon as you can rind time. I have heard from Miss Warburton; she is pleased with you, and I am so glad. You can well understand I cannot always write to Miss Warburton ; it is not what is called etiquette to do so, though why, I am hanged if I know; so now, when she has been so good to you, and I really want to communicate with her, I let her know through you. So, now, will you tell her please that I am exceedingly glad to hear that you are getting on so well, and that I cannot thank her enough. With regard to the photos not required, Miss Warburton is to do just as she pleases —burn, destroy, give away, or otherwise, as she may deem proper —just as she pleases. Please tell her this; also that both Miss Combs and myself look forward to seeing her here (in Blenheim) with a great deal of pleasure. My dear, if you find Miss Warburton cares to see my letters, or any of them, or that it amuses her, show them—all of them if you like—to her by all means; only I don't care to have anybody else reading them, and possibly criticizing. Now, Miss Warburton will not do that. She understands you, and she understands me, and I only worry when I think how you will miss her when she goes away. About myself, it is just as I told you. But what I now write must be between you and me and Miss Warburton, if she cares to see it; no one else. I am trying my very hardest to get over to Wellington if but for a week ; if for longer so much the better, but anyhow for another week. Are you pleased ? What did Mr. James Warburton say about the savingsbank ? You did not understand what I meant. I did not mean you to ask Mr. J. W. who was the head of the savings-bank, but to ask Mr. J. W., who is (that is to say, Mr. J. W T. is) the head of the savings-bank, how this deposit could be made. Mr. James W. being the head of the whole department would be the proper gentleman to give orders in this direction. Now do you understand; and if you tell Miss Warburton probably she would ask him for you. You quite understand I think Miss Warburton the very best friend you have got, and I believe that, in matters concerning you, neither you nor I can thank her too much nor obey her too much if she will please advise us. Hence, you see, I wish you to show her my letters if she will take the trouble to look at them ; on the other side, I don't care about any one else getting them. You understand. And now, my dear little girl, let me hear from you soon. I was glad with hearing that your pay was increased ; how did that all come to pass, and did any one ask, do you know ? And that is all for to-day. I have taken a leaf out of your book, and got bad eyes, but that will soon be over I hope; otherwise very well; and I hope you are well and happy ; and remain, with best and kindest wishes, your old friend, A. Livingston.—P.S.: I enclose a pound to pay for my little girl's portraits." Mr. John Hoggakd examined. 137. Mr. Hutchison.] You are in the post-office as Postmaster here ?—I am chief clerk in the post-office, Wellington, circulating branch. 138. Do you remember receiving the telegram which has been put in ? —Yes. 139. On the day that it is dated?-—About the 26th December, I believe ; it was about Christmas time. 140. Did you have any communication about that telegram before receiving it ?—No, 141. What did you do?—I acted on it at once. 142. Did you see Mr. Eose first ?—No. 143. You went to Kirkcaldie to reclaim the letter ?—Yes; 1 asked him for the letter, and he gave it to me. 144. One letter ?—Yes. 145. What did you do with the letter?—I fonvarded it, with telegram, under cover to Mr. Eose. I believe I wrote, "Letter referred to herewith." 146. Mr. Eose was in Wellington?—Yes ; he was in Wellington. 147. Were the two departments in the same building ? —Postal and Telegraphic? They were then separate ; they are now in the same building. 148. That is all you know about it ?—About that particular letter. 149. Is the post-office savings-bank in your charge ?—I am the head of it. 150. Did you afterwards receive from Mr. Eose a post-office savings-bank book ?—No; not from Mr. Eose. 151. In the name of Ida Prince?—I am not in a position to speak of that; I should have to call the clerk in charge of the money-order office. 152. Do you remember Ida Prince coming to the money-order office, with that book [book produccd] ?—I think I referred it at once to the ordinary clerk. 153. Do you remember the transfer of that account? —I remember Miss I. Prince and Mrs. Eose coming about it. I did not do the business myself.