17

I.—2a

Miss Ida Pbincb re-examined. 359. Mr. Hutchison.} Sitting there as a witness, have you anything to say about this irregu" larity ?—I recollect the time Mr. Kirkcaldie speaks of, but I never interfered with the cash in any way. Thomas Eose in attendance and examined. 360. Mr. Gully.'] What is your official capacity ?—lnspector of Post-offices. 361. You are acquainted with the petitioner, Miss Prince?— Yes, slightly. 362. You are aware that she has been acquainted with Mrs. Eose for some time?— Yes; I know that Mrs. Eose has had a good deal to do with her ever since she has been in Wellington. 363. What was your first knowledge of this transaction which we have been discussing—these money-matters in connection with the decease of Mr. Livingston ?—My first connection with this matter was when a telephone message was received from Warburton's on the Sunday announcing that Livingston was dead. 364. That was on Sunday, the 23rd December?— The 23rd December, 1888. 365. Did you act on that ?—I telegraphed to Miss Combs, sympathizing with her, and asked whether myself or Mrs. Eose could be of any assistance to her in her trouble; if so, either one or other of us would come to her. 366. Miss Combs and Mr. Livingston were very old friends of yours ?—Very old friends. 367. Of how many years standing ?—I had known Mr. Livingston for fifteen years; Miss Combs not so long, perhaps about twelve years. 368. Was a telegram received by you in reply, or by Mrs. Eose ?—I think the reply came to me. Telegram put in, as follows : — " To T. Eose, Hawkestone Street, Wellington. " 23rd December, 1888. " Many thanks for telegram ; expect Mrs. Hill from Ghristchurch. Glad to see you, all the same. " M. K. Combs." 369. What was the result of that communication ?—On receipt of that telegram I considered it unnecessary that either of us should go. After that, Mr. Warburton, sen., telephoned to Mrs. Eose. 370. Did you take any further part in the matter ? —None whatever, until Mrs. Eose left for Blenheim. 371. What was the next step in this history? When did you next take any active part in the matter ? Did anything further occur until Mr. Hoggard saw you ?—Nothing, that I recollect; in fact, Mr. Hoggard did not see me in connection with this matter. 372. Tell us what did occur ?—ln connection with this case: the first I knew of it was on going to my office one morning (the 27th December, I think it was) I found on my table a letter addressed to me. On opening it I found it to contain a savings-bank book addressed to " Ida Prince, care of Kirkcaldie and Stains, Wellington." Enclosed in an envelope from Mr. Hoggard was this telegram, sent by Mr. Salmon, from Blenheim, to Mr. Hoggard, requesting him to obtain the letter from Kirkcaldie and Stains, if not delivered, and to give it to the Inspector. This telegram was indorsed by Mr. Hoggard. Telegram, with indorsement, read, as follows : — " To Chief Clerk, Circulating Branch. " Wellington, 26th December, 1888. " Letter containing savings-bank book, addressed to Miss Ida Prince, care of Kirkcaldie and Stains, from this office per " Takapuna" yesterday. Please detain, and, if delivered, try and recover, and hand the same to Inspector Eose. " T. Salmon, Blenheim." "Mb. Eose, —I have recovered this book, and enclose it to you herewith. —J. Hoggard, 27/12/88." 373. Well, what next ?—The letter lay on my table until I went to luncheon. 374. Dr. Fitchett.} There was a letter in that?—l explained, I think, that the letter I found on my table enclosed a letter, to which the telegram referred, in an official savings-bank cover. 375. It was not open?—No; it was a closed official letter, addressed to Miss Ida Prince. It was enclosed in an ordinary cover in which savings-bank books are transmitted from one place to another. 376. Mr. Gully.] Then, the only enclosure in this letter addressed to you was this telegram indorsement just put in ?—Precisely so. 377. The other enclosure thus sealed up being the letter addressed to Ida Prince?— Yes. 378. What did you do with the letter addressed to Ida Prince ?—I laid it on my table till I went home to luncheon in the middle of the day. I then took it with me. 379. And then ? —I gave it to Mrs. Eose. 380. Did you see it again ?—I never saw it again I handed it to Mrs. Eose, who was going to see Miss Ida Prince to report to her all the circumstances in connection with Mr. Livingston's death. Mrs. Eose had returned from Blenheim early that morning. 381. Would the letter have come by the same steamer that Mrs. Eose came by?—No; I think it came on the previous day ; but that I cannot answer for. 382. The 26th December would be a post-office holiday, would it not?—lt might have arrived on the 25th for what I know.,, Ido not know; I cannot say. 383. Then, the first you saw of it was on the morning of the 27th?—Yes. 384. You had no conversation about the matter with any one, but merely took the letter a 9 delivered on your desk ? —Precisely. 385. No interview with Hoggard or any other person ? —No one. 386. Were any inquiries made about this matter at the time ?—None whatever that I am awaro of. 3—l. 2a.