DISTRICT JUDGE RAWSON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2089, 16 March 1889, Page 2

DISTRICT JUDGE RAWSON

(PER PBEBB ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, Maroh 15. Mr C"vkl)i was further oroßß-examined by Mr Jdlllcor, when the Oommlfiaionerß said that the evldenoo had no relovanoe to the ohargo made with reapeot to Injuring Mr Hutchison. Sir ilobert Stout said he did not Intend to bring any more evidence. *. Mr Jdlllooo asked if he intended to sum up. f — _ ' - „ Sir R Stout said ho uid not propose to Insult the Commissioners, but would make an application under the Ooramlsiloneru Powers Act that the costs of the charge be borno by the informant, William Humphries, m case the decision was against him. The Court then adjmrned till 2 o'clock. The hearing of the first charge was oonoladod, bnt tho Commissioners declined to give any expression of opinion on tbo oase till they make their report to Government. The ohargo of drunkenness and two other oharges have been virtually abandoned on account of the prosooutloa being unable to give a specific data. They ooald only state the month and year but not the day of the mouth, and the Oommlaßloners held aoob obargea wore too indefinite When the Court tobo Mr Jolllcoe htd just opened the oase on a oharge laid by Mr Byrne of flawera, m connection with alleged Improper adjudication by Mrß»w--sou as Registrar of the Supreme Coart. The Court resumes *t 10 a.m. to-morrow. Nbw Plymouth, March 16. NotwithstuudiDg that theCommieslonets had deold«d not to hear Mr Joshua Jones' ohargo, owing to his denying that he knew when the Commission sat and it being proved that ho did- know, the Ministry m Wellington, to oblige Jones, has wired to the Oomnqibsioneri to extend the time for reoeivlng charges till the 21st fnst., and notice has been sent to Jones to put m his charges. Referring to tho action taken by the Ministry iv interfering with tho actions and duties of the Commission, Sir R Stout said it was against, the constitutional hiatory of the colony that suoh an interforenoo should take place ». Ith any Comrolsnlon of Enquiry. Mr Jdliooe eaid that he had looked through f h the;papers lo Mlohael Byrne's case and had come to tho conclusion not to proooed with tbo charge. Thiß morning Mr Jelllooe who withdrew tha charges of undue icflacnoe and d'unkounoua lost night statod that since tho a'j jurnme^t le h^d deolrJed to amoud tho charges, and oalllod Charles Bollrlnger whosalrf, that some time m 1887 at 10 o'clock at night he saw R»waou Btaggering m going up Gill Street. He ooald not say what day It was or whether moonlight or otherwise, Commissioner Rold eaid it was necessary to fix a date. Bellrlnger said he ooald not say what date it was. He (witness) pus a stannoh teetotaller. Edward Oookrill said he was with Bellrlnger and others walking np Gill Street In 1887 when he was and*r the Impression tbat ho caw Riwson drunk. He would not swear it was Rawson» He ooald not state the da<e> Bullrlnger gavo gltnflar evidence. He could give no date, He was a staunch toototftUor, Howell another staanoh teetotaller gave evldonoo but could fix no da»e. Mr Jelllooe said thoro was no more caidenoo to adduoe In regard to the charges of drunkenness, Sir R. Stoqt qallcd no evidence, but referred to the way the Commission were bolng ttiflad with In oharge^bolng brought without any dlr.ot oharge bqlng proved. The Oomrolss,lanerß made no reply Tbo pharge qf Aloxander Bobwoll that Rawson oansptred with Qanauqls. and others to commit him for trial upon unproved charges was then taken. Bobwoll paid he was committed for trial on a oharga of defrauding his partners m the ifgh'or service and the Grand Jury found [i true Bill. The newspapers showed that witness' oonnsel was not willing to Jet tho o*s-» bo jadgod on the faots and the Jcrigo dine ed au acquittal on legal iiohnlcftlltleiß, Tbo Oonrt adjoarned st wo o'olook.