N S W. LAND SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1586, 17 October 1905, Page 2

N S W. LAND SCANDAL.

MR ORIOK IN THE BOX.

During the sitting of tho Land Commission Mr Oriok entered the witness-box. He said bo did not propose that day to go into tbe general defence of the system he adopted for lotting oot land on improvement lease. It would be too lengthy, and he did not not feel equal to it that day. There was some evidence he wanted on the notes in reference to evidence givon since he was laßt in the box, but he would seek another day for that. What he proposed to do now was to intimate to the Commission the course he intended to take in regard to, the evideuoe given by Mr Close. , His Honor: You wil! go iDto that now ? Mr Crick (who went into the witness box): Yes. I have not recaived the official reports of the evidence given by Mr Close, but I have read it in the newspapers. It has a'so been supplied to me by my clerk, who was present, I oonsider that the evidence given by Mr Close involves a obargo of criminality against me. Holding that view, I Bay I do not feel oalled upop to say anything in regard to it before this Commission, as this Commission oannot possibly investigate a direct obarge involving criminality. That being so, I consider that at another time and in another place it will be my proper course to answer the evidence given by Mr Close. That is the position I take up. I have beea up His Honor: There is a certain section, tho second in tho Lands Commission (Witnesses) Act, which says :—“ A person examined as a witness before the Commissioner shall not be exoused from answering any question put to him on tho ground of any privilege, or ou the /ground that tho answer thereto may criminate or tend to criminate himself." Mr Crick: I don't take the stand that auything I may say or anything anybody else can truthfully say will inoriminate me. Here is a charge amounting to a oriminal charge, and that cannot be investigated or decided before this Commission. Thie Commission has no power to hear a charge like that. This Commission oannot, and ought not to, take upon itself to assert the powers of the proper Courts of tho State. In other words, it should not' take up the position of a jury. His Honor : I see what you mean. Mr Crick: That, briefly, is the point I take. The evidence now points that I accepted bribes. If that is so, it is a criminal charge. His Honor : Do I understand that you decline to make any farther reference to the evidence given by Mr Close ?—Quite so ; on tbe ground stated. His Honor: Well, I shall say nothing further in reference to this malter at present. Of course, I did not know the course you were goiDg to adopt. I will consider it. I will take care that you are duly informed of the time when I shall be in a position to give my decision ou the matter. Mr Oriok: It won’t be before Monday, will it, Your Honor ? lam going to the Mountains, but will b 8 back on Monday.

His Honor: I don’t propose to do anything until Monday. The Commission at this stage adjourned until half-past ten on the followng day,