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Eose—l mentioned Inspector Eose advisedly, knowing that perhaps my action was not in exact accordance with official routine, and that anything I might have clone contrary to rules would at once be corrected by him. An additional reason for getting this book back was because of a matter within my own knowledge. I understood that a sister of Miss Ida Prince was also employed at Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains's, and Mr. Livingston had expressed to me on several occasions that he did not want any member of Miss Ida Prince's family to benefit by anything which he did for her, as, to use his own words, they " loafed " on her. I was afraid that if it was delivered there, and Miss Ida Prince being away, her sister might get the book and make undue use of the knowledge she would obtain thereby. Mrs. Eose promised me that on her return to Wellington (she was returning the next day) she would get my letter and read it to Miss Ida Prince if necessary, or deliver it to her as soon as Miss Prince's health would allow it to be so delivered. These were the principal reasons. 262. You say you had despatched a telegram to Miss Prince informing her of the death of-Mr. Livingston?—l sent one to Mr. Kirkcaldie, asking him to tell Miss Prince, but I understood afterwards that there was some delay in delivery as he was away from trie shop. 263. You know the contents of this letter, written by Mr. Livingston ? —I do; because Mr. Livingston, when he wrote it, handed it to me to read, and told me where to find it. 264. Did you refresh your memory as to its contents before you put it into the envelope ?—I am not certain whether I did ; but I had no need to do so, for on a subsequent occasion, and when first writing it, he read it to me. 265. You were quite familiar with its contents ?—Yes. 266. You had no warrant or authority for what you did ?—No official authority. 267. Mr. Gully.] You were an old friend of Mr. Livingston's?—Yes. 268. Of some years' standing ?—Yes; somewhere about seven years. The last two years of his life I was very intimate with him. 269. You are also aware that Mrs. Eose was also a friend of his for a good many years, and was thoroughly trusted by him ? —Yes ; I was aware of that, from my own knowledge, and also from the opinion he had often expressed. 270. Were you not further aware that Mrs. Eose had taken special interest in this girl—Miss Ida Prince ? —Mr. Livingston often gave me to understand so, and he told me what Mrs. Eose had done for the girl. 271. In point of fact, that she had acted really in the place of a guardian to this girl: did it not amount to that?—lt might amount to that: she acted so on Mr. Livingston's behalf. 272. Mr. Livingston was aware that she took a great deal of trouble about this girl—had obtained for her a situation, and looked after her in every way ?—Yes; I am aware of that. 273. You are aware that the girl had no relations in Wellington that were able to look after her ?—I thought so. I had no knowledge of her relations, except what Mr. Livingston spoke to me of: he told me of her having this one sister at Kirkcaldie and Stains's. 274. When Mr. Livingston died you, as his intimate friend, went through his papers ?—I did ; at his special request. 275. Did you ascertain that there was a will leaving the whole of his property to a Miss Combs?— First of all it was expected that there would be a will among his papers in the office. There proved to be none ; but Miss Combs informed me that she had a will, and some time afterwards showed it to me. 276. You are aware that Miss Combs was legatee and executrix under his will ?—I am. 277. She was sister-in-law of Mr. Livingston? —So I understand. 278. Now, in going through the papers, had you Miss Combs's assent, or was it before you ascertained that she was executrix of the will ?—No. Mr. Gudgeon had charge of the papers ; some of them were to a certain extent relating to official matters ; private letters were mixed up with official papers. 279. There were private letters and other papers at his own house?—l had nothing to do with them. I went through these papers while Mr. Gudgeon was there. He would not do so because Mr. Livingston had left special instructions what to do. 280. But he was present ?—Yes; he was present at anything that was done. 281. It has been suggested that it was a secret letter, intended for the eyes of Miss Prince alone : will you inform the Committee whether it was sealed up and addressed to her, or whether it was open ?—lt was not sealed up ; it was in an open envelope. Whether it was addressed to her Ido not know; if it were sealed up it would have been sent by me in the same state. 282. Was it perused by anybody else but you?— Yes. In the presence of another clerk, Mr. Franks. Mr. Livingston had left directions that if I was not there he was to put. the book and letter in an envelope and send it to Miss Prince. 283. Did you hear Livingston say that? —No ; he told me he had done so. 284. That he had given such a direction ?—I did not hear him give the direction, but he told me he had done so. lam not certain when it was ; it was some months prior; but the matter was not a point that I took any particular notice of. 285. Did you consider this letter was a deep secret: did you show it to any one ?—No ; I had no occasion. 286. Not to Mrs. Salmon ?—No ; she would know the contents of it afterwards, when it Became, as it were, public property. 287. I see by your letter ftf the 24th December Mr. and Miss Warburton were away ? —Mr. James Warburton. 288. You suggested that it be given to Mrs. Eose? —Yes. 289. You treated it as an entirely friendly matter. You assumed that Mrs. Eose was looking after the interests of Miss Prince in the same way as Mr. Livingston himself would have done ? — Quite so.