¥.— B.

20

It. BAII.KY.

To His Worship: When that left our hands there was not a bit of stamp paper on it. Every one of them bears that now. That must have been done by the Censor. 8. When you received the envelope did it have that piece of stamp paper gummed on it?— Yes, sir. 9. What was in it when you received it? —When I received it there were two reserved tickets and two platform tickets. 10. That is four tickets altogether?— Four tickets altogether. 1 I. Did it contain a request to yon to notify your congregation on Sunday? —Yes, a request to announce on Sunday the public meeting. 12. Mr. Gray.] How many deliveries are there to your house, Mr. Bailey?— Two—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 13. Does the letter-carrier bring the letters to the door?— Yes, to our hand. 14. Do you recollect the receipt of this letter? —I do not. It arrived Tuesday morning. I did not personally see it. J. suppose my wife received it. 15. Can you recollect where you got it from? Was it put on your mantel-shelf or table? — It would probably have been put on my study table. 16. No possibility of it having been put, there the day before? —There was no possibility. 17. You yourself made no complaint to the Chief Postmaster?—l made no complaint. 18. You never produced that envelope to the postman to ascertain the reason for the delay ? —No. Mr. Ostler: Would you mind asking the reason? Mr. Gray objected. Witness: I would like to say in fairness I would have complained, but being at the Wednesday meeting I heard the general complaint. Rev. Alexander Andrew Murray examined. 1. Mr. Ostler.] What is your full name, Mr. Murray?— Alexander Andrew Murray. 2. I understand you are a Presbyterian clergyman ?—Yes. 3. Residing where?—l W T ynyard Street. 4. Did you get a letter from the Protestant Political Association asking you to make a pulpit announcement for the meeting?—l did. 5. Can you tell us on what date you got the letter?—On Tuesday evening. I was out of town Monday and Tuesday. My wife and I were at Hamilton, and I returned on the Tuesday evening. On my return the letters were waiting me on my hall-stand. I asked the maid who received the letters when the thick letter arrived. She said "on Tuesday." Mr. Gray objected. Mr. Ostler: You surely do not bind us down to strict evidence? Mr. Gray: I do. Mr. Ostler: Well, we will call the maid if you like. Mr. Gray: Certainly. 6. Mr. Ostler.] From the inquiries you made what did you discover as to the date on which it arrived? Mr. Gray: I understand this gentleman did not receive it. His Worship: He had better not go any further. Have you got any more direct evidence? A re you discriminating ? Mr. Ostler: I am only calling those who did not receive their letters until Tuesday. It is not, very important whether they got I hem on Monday or Tuesday. I understand that my friend admits that, with the exception of those gentlemen, all the rest got them on Monday. Mr. Gray: How many? Mr. Ostler: I do not know. I could find out and show* you their letters and agree on an admission. Henry Sydney Bilby examined. 1. Mr. Ostler.] What is your full name? —Henry Sydney Bilby. 2. Your occupation?— Secretary, Protestant Political Association. 3. Your address?—l.oo Balmoral Road at the present time. 4. Did you post any letters on the 6th July last addressed to Nonconformist clergymen ?—Yes. 5. In connection with this meeting?— Yes. 6. Is that a list of the clergymen to whom letters were addressed ?—Yes, that is so. Mr. Gray: The notes in pencil have been made by Mr. Williamson, Chief Postmaster, but are not of any importance. 7. Mr. Ostler.] Are y r ou certain you posted letters to every one on that list?—Oh, yes, quite certain. 8. Where did you post them?— Dominion Road post-office. 9. At what time?—At about 11.20, 1 should say : before the collection of the mail. 10. 11.20 p.m., I suppose?— Yes. 11. When you posted them did any of them contain any stamp paper stuck on the back?— No, nothing of that —just plain sealed envelopes. 12. You see that bit of stamp paper: are you quite sure that was not done? —No, just sealed in the ordinary way—no stamp paper on. Mr. Ostler (to His Worship): I suppose, sir, it would be more convenient to take the evidence on the other charges and finish with each witness rather than bring him back again. His Worship: Oh, certainly.