MEIKLE COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1745, 10 May 1906, Page 2

MEIKLE COMMISSION.

(Poe Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. Dr. Findlay concluded bis address this morniDg. Ho expressed tho opinion that at the conclusion of tho Commission Meik’e would leave the Court a guilty man, and that tbe mon bo had so long pursued would leave it ioDocent. Robert Troup, a farmer at Wakawa, was the first Crown witness. He : said he beoame manager of tbe Islay station in February 1887. He inspected Meikle’s land particularly about that time, but it did not seem to be overstocked. There was nothing especial on Me kh’s land to attract sheep from tbe Company’s property. The Campany had been losing sheep. The books showed a leakage of over 1000, mostly observable at Meikle’s boundary to the Company’s property. Lambert was employed on tho suggestion of Constable Leece tolrrck the sheep-stealer. It was übsurd to say the suggestion was 1 made that Lambert should put sheep and skins on Meikle’s land in ord.r !o get him convicted.

GIVING MEIKLE A BAD NAME

COUNSEL’S DENUNCIATION,

Per Press Association; Dunodin, last night.

Before tho Meiljle' Commission Dr. Findlay, ill concluding his address, asserted that tho Commission had brought to light one of tho biggest hypocrites attempting to got money from the public purse in tho history of the colony. Robert Troupe, former manager of Islay station, gave evidence that in 1887 the leakage of sheep was over one thousand, mostly observable on Meikle’s boundary. His attention was directed to Moikle by finding a trace of a sheep having been driven from the station through the fence. It was absurd to say that a suggestion was made that Lambert should put sheep and skins on Meikle’s place. Up to his leaving Cameron had only seen Lambert once, and witness was pres°nt all the time. Constable Leece, who was in the district in 1887, after giving evidence, was asked by Dr. Findlay as to Meikle’s reputation. Mr Atkinson strongly objected to the question, but it was permitted, and the constable replied that Meiklo was reported to jae a sheep-stealer.