H.—s

12

never saw the letters, or any copy of them—not even the ones that appeared in the Post. I never authorised the obtaining, issuing, or publication of these letters, directly or indirectly. I knew they had been published in the Post, but I do not know who gave the information to the Post. James Sandbrook sworn and examined. 106. The Commissioner.] What are you ?—Government messenger. 107. You might tell me what you know in connection with the letter from Colonel Fox to the Premier?—First of all, I am not sure of the date on which Sir Patrick Buckley came back to Wellington, but I got the letter on the morning of, or the morning before, his return, from his office. The letter was franked by Mr. Andrews, and addressed to Sir Patrick Buckley. I knew it was the letter, because Sir Patrick told me so. 108. Where had Sir Patrick Buckley been?—He was at Napier, and I know he saw Dr. Cahill up there, who was ill at the time. 109. Could you say if it was Tuesday he returned?—Yes. He was to have returned on the Monday, but did not arrive until Tuesday. 110. Did he return by train?—Yes. 111. Did he return via Wairarapa or Pahnerston?— Via Palmerston. 112. Did you meet him at the train on arrival on Tuesday night at Wellington?—Yes. 113. Did you take any letters to him at the railway-station ?—Yes, a bundle of private letters 114. Did you take him any official letters ?—No. 115. When did that letter, franked by Mr. Andrews, come to Wellington ? —lt was on the Tuesday morning, I think, but it might possibly have been on Monday morning. 116. Are you sure it did not come for the first time into your possession on Wednesday morning ?—Yes, because I know I had it before Sir Patrick came back. On the Wednesday morning he asked me where I got it, and when I told him he gave it to me to take to Mr. Seddon's room, to be left there until Mr. Seddon's return. That was after Sir Patrick had read it himself. After a few minutes he sent me back to Mr. Seddon's room for it, and he told me to take it to Mr. Cadman. Shortly after that I saw it in the hands of Mr. Seddon's messenger. He told me he had instructions not to let it go into any one's hands, but that it was to be put away where it would be safe until Mr. Seddon came back. 117. How did that letter first come into your hands at all?—In the office of Buckley, Stafford, and Treadwell. The letters are always put in the official box there, and I get them every morning. 118. Whether public or private ?—Yes ; and I bring them up to the Government Buildings. 119. At what time do you go for them every morning?—At 9.30 a.m. 120. Whether he is in town or not ?—Yes. I put the official letters before Mr. Pollen, and he opens any that he thinks should be opened, and the private ones I give to Sir Patrick when I see him. 121. How do you treat confidential letters?—l always give them to the Minister, or to the Private Secretary if the Minister is not there. 122. Who is Sir Patrick Buckley's Private Secretary?—Mr. Govett. 123. Was he at Napier with Sir Patrick ?—Yes. 124. Did he arrive in the same train with him ?—Yes. 125. Where did you keep that letter pending Sir Patrick Buckley's arrival ?—On his table in his room. 126. The letter was not marked "Confidential"?—No, it was just addressed in the ordinary way to Sir Patrick Buckley, and franked by Mr. Andrews. But when Sir Patrick sent it to Mr. Seddon's room it was marked " Confidential." 127. Do I understand that you lay the letters on the table, whether they are private, confidential, or ordinary official letters ?—Yes. 128. And it is optional for the Under-Secretary to go in and open any of the letters ?—He opens any of the official letters if he thinks it is his duty to do so. 129. Do you know if this letter was opened prior to Sir Patrick Buckley seeing it ? Did it have any marks or tokens to show?—l could almost swear it was not opened. If it was it must have been done very cleverly. 130. Were you in the room when Sir Patrick Buckley was opening his letters ?—No. He rang the bell for something, and he asked me where I got that letter. I told him I got it down at his office. So he looked at it a bit and then said, "Just take that to Mr. Seddon's room and see that it is left there." He then sealed it up and marked it " Confidential." 131. Did he do that in your presence?—Yes. 132. And where did you leave it?—On the table in Mr. Seddon's room. Mr. Seddon's messenger was not there just at the time, so I put it on the table myself. In a few minutes Sir Patrick rang his bell, and asked me to fetch the letter back again. 133. How long afterwards ?—I suppose it would be about five minutes. 134. What state was it in when you found it again?—Just the same, because there was nobody in the room. I told the Premier's messenger about it. 135. Did you know the contents of the letter?—Only on account of seeing it in the newspaper. And when Sir Patrick finished reading it he told me what it was about. 136. Did he open it in your presence ?—No. I think, when he rang the bell he had had it open for some time. He did not break the seal in my presence. 137. Are you confident that no one else but him opened it ?—Yes. He must have opened it. 138. Do I understand you to say that he told you before you took the letter to the Premier's room that the envelope contained Colonel Fox's report or letters ?—Yes. 139. What did you understand by that ?—I understand by that, what I had seen in the paper, and it was talked of amongst people, and that is what I took it to be.