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I.—2a

222. Did this kindly interest ever form a topic of conversation between you and Ida Prince ?— I do not think so. 223. Did you ever hear her express her gratitude for the part that Mrs. Eose took in her behalf?—l could not exactly remember ; she might have done so. 224. I wish to bring out the relations that subsisted on both sides ? —I know that Ida Prince used to go to Mrs. Eose's very frequently. 225. Mr. Joyce.'] Did you know a Mrs. Gordon? —Yes. 226. Did she interest herself in any way about Ida Prince?— Not to me personally. I knew that Ida Prince lodged there, but personally there was no understanding between myself and Mrs. Gordon about Ida Prince. 227. The only person you looked to as her friend was Mrs. Eose? —Mrs. Eose appeared to be a sort of treasurer for her. I understood that Mrs. Eose used to pay Mrs. Gordon for Ida Prince's board and lodging. 228. You understood that?— Yes. 229. From whom? —From Mrs. Eose. 230. In all matters of difficulty Mrs. Eose was applied to, and her applications to you were successful?— Yes. 231. In every case ? —Yes; in every case. I wish hero to give a word of explanation in connection with the telegram from Mr. Salmon ; it was delivered to me at my private address on a Sunday; it disclosed the news of the death of Mr. Livingston ; at that time and for a considerable time afterwards I took it to be from a Mr. Salmon who had been in my employ some years ago, and who was at that time a commercial traveller ; thinking that he was always on the move I did not think it necessary to send any reply. I make this explanation because it is due to Mr. Salmon, who is a witness in this case, so that he may know the cause of my silence for so long a time. 232. Did you communicate the contents of the telegram to Miss Prince ?—lt was a Sunday I received it; it came to my private address. 233. Did you tell her on the Monday ?—She was not present; I interviewed her sister. 234. Mr. Hutchison.] Eeference has been made to the intervention of Mrs. Eose on behalf of Miss Ida Prince on a particular occasion : I would ask the witness to state what that was ? It is the petitioner's wish. Now that the matter has been referred to it may be as well to have it all out. What was it ?■—lf you will allow me a little time to consider the matter, the petitioner and myself might have an interview; I would rather do that than make any remarks in public at all events. Mr. Hutchison: Miss Ida Prince says she has nothing to conceal: enough has been said to require more. The Chairman : You are at liberty to answer the question or not, as you think proper. Mr. Gully : My object was not to show any discord between these two ladies, but to show rather that Mrs. Eose acted in the kindest manner always to Miss Ida Prince. It was arranged that Mr. Kirkcaldie's examination should be resumed at 10 o'clock next morning. Thomas Benjamin Salmon examined. 235. Mr. Hutchison.] What are you ?—I am senior postal clerk in the chief post-office at Blenheim. 236. Did you know the late Mr. Livingston?—Yes. 237. You were in Blenheim when he died? —Yes. 238. Before he died did he give any directions to you as to forwarding documents to any one? —On several occasions he gave me directions about all the papers that would remain in the office at the time of his death. 239. Did he ever give you any special directions ?—He gave me special directions in regard to this document in question. 240. You mean the post-office bank-book?— Yes; the post-office bank-book, which contained also a short letter, which you have read. 241. With regard to these documents he gave you special instructions?—He did. 242. What were the special instructions?— That in the event of his death they were to be at once forwarded to Miss Ida Prince. 243. Where was she then ?—He did not leave an address, because we knew full well where she was working. 244. Do you remember the date of his death ?—I am not certain of the date of his death; but it was towards the end of December. 245. After his death, what did you do with these papers ? —After his death I put the bankbook with the letter and one from myself to Miss Prince (not exactly of an official nature, but at the same time hardly of a private character, but giving Miss Prince full particulars) into an envelope, and sent it to her. 246. Mr. Gully.] Was that the letter of the 24th December?— That would be about the date. 247. Mr. Hutchison^] Look at that and see if that is the letter you sent ?—lt is. Letter produced and read, as follows : —■ "Blenheim, 24th December, 1888. —Dear Miss Prince, —It is with the deepest feelings of regret and sympathy that I "Sent yesterday a telegram informing you of the death of my chief Postmaster, and one of my own best friends. I post herewith a paper containing a notice of his death, and also, under separate cover, I return your letter and card, which came to hand this morning. Acting under our dear old friend's written instructions, which he gave me some few months ago to open all his letters, I opened this, to see if your present address might be inside, as otherwise