The Emmerson Enquiry.

Hastings Standard, Issue 483, 23 November 1897, Page 3

The Emmerson Enquiry.

(By Telegraph.) (Per Press Association . Gisborne, This day. The Emmerson enquiry was resumed this morning. Mr Haselden complained of the statement in an Auckland telegram in which it was said Mr Tole had complained of his not furnishing the namfs of witnesses as most improper. Mr Kenny, Magistrate, said he did not consider Mr Haselden was in any way to blame as he could not supply the names of the Gisborne witnesses until he arrived upon the scene and considered the relevancy of their evidence. Mr Nolan, acting for Inspector Emmerson, said the Inspector had no fault to find against Mr Haselden who had tried him in a most gentlemanlyway. Captain Neal, of the laiiuch Snark, remembered tendering the Dingadee on May 2nd. There was a heavy roll in the bay. Emmerson came on board as far as he could remember without assistance and he noticed nothing the matter with him. He had only the usual amount of assistance afforded to passengers in transhipping from the Dingadee. He walked up the stage himself, which would have been impossible for a man helplessly drunk. If |Jbe had been drunk he could not have helped taking notice. Frances Knowles, deckhand on the Snark, gave precisely similar evidence. Sergeant Black gave evidence that he met the inspector on his landing at the wharf that night. They went to the Police Station together where Emmerson inspected and signed a number of books as well as inspecting witness's residence. He left him at the Gisborne Hotel at 8.30 and called for him again twenty minutes later, thence proceeding to the wharf together. When Emmerson came ashore he was perfectly sober, and so far as witness could see perfectly sober when he walked from the Gisborne Hotel to the wharf. Sergeaat Black continued : On his wharf they called at the Tnrang&nui Hotel where Emmerson went in to see Father Ahearn, with whom he sat in the diniug-room till the first whistle blew. In witness's opinion Emmerson was not drunk, nor near it, although he had taken some he did not appeared to have taken too much. He was suffering from a severe cough which would be likely to keep his room mates awake. The Magistrate adjourned the inquiry till Friday in case further evidence is forthcoming.