THE WARD-CHAPMAN INQUIRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4188, 22 August 1874, Page 2

THE WARD-CHAPMAN INQUIRY.

The following report—tbe second—from the joint Select Committee was brought up in both Houses last night:— 1. That with regard to the other matters before them, they have taken a considerable amount of evidence, with the object of ascertaining the sources through which the alleged telegrams were communicated to the Otago Daily Times. Your Committee are satisfied that the Otago Daily Times received the telegrams from Mr. James Macassey, but the manner in which they came into his possession has not been satisfactorily proved. 2. That the evidence taken has been of a very contradictory nature, and indeed involves a distinct question of perjury on the part of one or more persons. Your Committee suggest that they should be freed from the necessity of reporting to the Council the evidence taken by them, and would recommend that their reports, together with all the evidence, should be transmitted to TTia Excellency the Governor, together with an humble address praying that a Royal Commission be appointed to make a full investigation of all matters connected with this inquiry ; and that, if necessary, an Act of Parliament should be passed giving extraordinary powers to such Commission to enforce the production, of evidence, and power given to grant indemnity where evidence given by witnesses may tend to criminate themselves. 3. That, in the opinion of this Committee, irregularities in the conduct of business in the Post and Telegraph Office, Oamaru, have been disclosed. 4. liiat, with regard to Messrs. Holdsworth and Clayton, the Committee are unanimously of opinion that they have given their evidence in so straightforward and truthful a manner as to justify confidence being continued in them for the future; they therefore earnestly recommend that the Government should overlook their past misconduct.